Sometimes following can be…
The Joy of Following
Yesterday we received a sales order through one of the sales websites we run. Attached to the order was a lovely note:
“We have several of your Australian laminated posters, much love and thanks!!!”
It is nice to get little personal notes – especially when they are as nice as this. However, within 5 minutes we received the below email from the same person:
Subject: YUCK!!! you twisted sickos Message: after processing a payment for an item I WAS TOLD yebus is alive go to hell!! mat devils swarm upon you and feast on your festering souls
Here, a person (we’ll call him ‘Chris&rsquo that has just sent ‘love and thanks’ has responded immediately showing something quite different. Not love (that is non discriminating, unconditional and kind despite what someone else says, thinks or does), but attack and ‘hatred’.
Chris is just a sample of our interaction this week -please use your own if you have them… Many react in the same way. But are they hating us? Not according to Jesus:
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. * Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way (Matthew 5:11-12 NLTSB)
The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you (John 15:19 NLTSB)
People persecute us because we are not part of the world. They persecute us because we are His followers…and we should be glad!
* For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him (Philippians 1:29 NLTSB)But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! * For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News (1 Peter 4:16-17 NLTSB)
* And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:5 NLTSB)
This person has just said something unkind – there’s no real persecution. Really, when we talk & evangelise to people – this is about the worst we get a few names! Are we willing to get a few names thrown at us for Christ? To do something which He commanded us to? TO be possibly part of someones Eternal Salvation? We should – oh boy we should!
Now, we have this person phone number, email and address so we could respond in a number of ways:
- Ignore it. Send the item & go no further.
- Pray for them
- Send an email / phone them asking why the attack
- Attack them back
- Be nice – show love.
We have talked as a family and have decided to go for #2 and #5. Not only we will send the item they wanted for free, we will give them a gift – one they will like. One they will see often and have a representation (albeit small) of grace & one aspect of love. It is a gift & we want nothing in return.
We, as a family have a ‘God jar’. It is for us to put money in when we feel and when we earn something – this money is then used for various exercises to bless people or help those in need. At times the actions of our children in regard to their hard earned money humbles us and this jar is one avenue they have really embraced and use. We may decide to use the money to buy this person a gift or simply send cash – what does God want? It won’t be much as we don’t have much but it will be a heart felt gesture.
We will also give them a Bible / book as God leads and add their details to a list we have to pray for & send things later if God leads. Part of our actual running costs are tracts, books and Bibles – our children all know that these items are a given – if they at any time want or sense someone needs these things they have access to them – in both cars, at home and in the postage shed.
But I will also address this person. I don’t believe that God puts any one in our path that we aren’t meant to help, be helped by or journey with. Here is a person that I’m guessing has reason to hate ‘god’ or religion. At the words of “Jesus is Alive” at the bottom of an automated email, they have felt strongly enough to send an email with their name, phone number and email address.
What may or may not have happened to them in the past is anyones guess – but one thing is sure…God cares. So do I. In fact it grips me. I know what it is like to rear up and have instant hatred and anger at the very notion of ‘god’. Under it all was hurt from the actions of people. I never even knew who God was or even that He existed – but I knew the rage that came up when someone tried to tell me about ‘him’. I still remember yelling & shouting at someone in Northbridge for quite a while after they tried to give me a ‘Ticket to Heaven’. I mean who cares?!
But God was there when x or y happened to me – and He was for this person. God has ministered His truth, grace and love to me and He wants to for this person.
The fact that they are here in front of me shows me that He wants to use me to do it. Love, grace and truth.
Grace: A simple gift, word of encouragement, act of service when someone has been unkind shows this.
Love: Not ‘love’ where we just ignore & pretend to be nice, but where we actually engage & put ourselves in the firing line. Where we do / say something that is best for them, even if we get attacked or loose out (time, friendship, money etc).
Truth: The truth tag their actions are against God – the Creator of all who loves and has made way for forgiveness, but who will judge according to righteousness.
In the next few hours I will be doing this – please pray for ‘Heath’ that He would be softened to God and that we would have wisdom. That every time they look at the gifts we send, the words of the Gospel we share will ring true – enlightened by the Spirit of God.
Imagine that – the way you act, the things you say / share could be the very things that God uses to bring someone to repentance! He has chosen the preaching of the Word as the avenue – faith in His Gospel is vital – always preach it!
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and g encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. * They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
* But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the h ministry God has given you
(2 Timothy 4:2-5 NLTSB)
Conclusion: It is a pleasure to be used by God for the salvation of others. Joy.
PRAYER: Lord we lift up ‘Chris’ and each person that any of us have run into – in whatever way – that you want to reach. Soften them to your truth and give us the grace, courage and words to speak out for you. Thank you that you never left us alone to do your work – we ask you Holy Spirit to use us. Amen
NOTES: ‘Chris’ is not the persons real name.