are your laces tied tightly in His truth?

Well, yesterday was certainly an interesting day at The Devoted Woman, because yesterday I knew the Holy Spirit was pushing me to repost a blog God had given me pertaining to divorce. Without rehashing this topic again, I will say that divorce is a controversial topic within many Christian circles. Many who profess Jesus as their Savior have still chosen the path of divorce, or have experienced the repercussions of divorce in their lives. Sadly, it has become a commonality in our society and age.

That said, yesterday I knew going into the blog that we would be under attack. I knew that our position would be challenged for quoting God's Word on such a volatile issue. So, I began my morning in prayer, trusting in His care and guidance, and preparing my heart for the tidal wave of emotions that my inbox would inevitably receive from our readers.

All this proved true. For I received many emails filled with anger and hatred in addition to several notes offering me support and encouragement. I received stories outlining the lives of women (and men) from all walks of life, dealing with all kinds of difficulties, and deciding for/against the decision to divorce. Many felt compelled to explain their life experiences and/or rationalize their decisions. Many expressed rage and defensiveness. Many wanted to debate over the truths of scripture and why God's Word did or did not prove relevant to their life. But what comment came up the most was a quote taken from Jesus words in Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

I prayed over these words yesterday, taking each person's feedback seriously. I asked God to search me and know my heart - exposing any sin on this (or any) matter. For, of course, I do not wish to enter into a discussion under pretenses measured by my own self righteousness. That would be foolish. I understand completely that without Jesus, I am nothing. I agree with the spiritual ramifications that Christ spoke of in Matthew 7 and whole-heartily acknowledge that my corrupt and sinful human nature is hopeless without His guidance. Yes, I prayed over this scripture yesterday and walked away with a clean conscience. For I was assured that the lesson I shared in our blog was reflective of His Word. I know that the truth under question by some audience members is still, indeed, TRUTH spoken from my Master's lips. And I am confident that His holy institution of marriage should be upheld rather than discarded. I know that God is clear on this... He hates divorce. He always has and always will promote restoration in relationships. So whether you agree or disagree with His stance, as a servant of Jesus, please know that we at DW choose to lovingly promote God's unchanging truth without apology. I ask that you respect this choice (as it is biblical) and assure you that my intentions to share His Word are unselfish in motive.

(Pause and breathe.) Lord... I pray that you give me Your wisdom to address this next topic that you have put on my heart. Let me speak as Jesus would. Let me love others in these words.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged (KJV)..." We like to throw that one out in defense when someone speaks up against a sinful behavior and backs it up with scripture, don't we? For simply put, mankind wants to be right. We hate to be opposed. We resent when our character is questioned under the microscope of God's Word. Sure, we acknowledge our nature is tainted by corruption, but we don't like to be beat over the head with solid reproof and correction, do we? No, that is too raw. That takes out the wiggle room in our gray, lukewarm lives. That contradicts our rationalization for self preservation.

No, rather than pausing to hear and receive God's truth... rather than responding in repentance and obedience... rather than seeking to follow His way boldly and without exception - when challenged, we can easily become defensive and angry. Then, in an effort to save face, we turn ourselves into "victims" and redirect the focus back onto our "accuser" by denying their credibility, by questioning their understanding, by rejecting their love.

As a result of yesterday's email "bombings", my husband and I were discussing how some Christians do not know how to lovingly and respectfully confront one another with biblical correction. Some have not learned to test their hearts against scripture to insure that we each are in fellowship with God's Word (and each other) with pertinence to the foundations He has established. Sure, it is a given that people won't always agree while living on this side of heaven. But we still must care enough to share with one another... to do the work and seek after His kingdom while relying on His Spirit to show us the righteousness He has planned for our lives.

I fear that too often we try to keep reproof and correction on the down-low and maintain a numbness and politically correctness at the forefront of our faith. This approach results in us sweeping the harder issues under the rug and readopting the acceptance of popular sins as excusable behavior. Why? Because it is uncomfortable to address divorce... or lying, or gossip, or homosexuality. It is uncomfortable to bring up the remorse of abuse, or infidelity, or apathy... or any other sin for that matter. Even more, it is uncomfortable to admit that we may have shared ownership, enablement, or possibly even initiation of such sins. So instead, we keep up "holy" appearances and speak Christianese while maintaining a generic undertone that God will always forgive. God will make it all o.k. in the end. And while it is true that God uses all things for His ultimate good and glory, it is dangerous to live outside the honesty of His perfect will. It is folly to ignore the eternal voice of our Creator and avoid all reproof. For when we willingly walk outside any portion of God's solution for a full, redeemed life, we venture with our shoes unlaced into territories where Satan thrives. We look backward to the false security of our corruption rather than forward to His assurance, newness and peace. This is what trips us up in sin and selfishness. This is what stops us from growing deeper spiritually.

As believers, we are to boldly proclaim what God's Word says about sin as well as be willing to humbly own up and repent of our own transgression. We are not to respond in hatred to what God has said. We are not to react in resentment, defensiveness, or anger against others because we don't like hearing that The Master's authority should win out over our own. No, everything that is brought to us biblically must be considered... and considered pure joy at that. For God cares enough to correct His children. And He will greatly bless those that love Him in obedience and humility.

In this race of life, it is a blessing to succeed spiritually right out of Salvation's gate rather than stumble because we didn't follow God's simple instruction to tie our shoes. So, when we are encouraged as believers in 2 Timothy 4:2 to "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction," we must do so without apology. We must share our faith with one another and avoid intimidation tactics against those who step up to what is godly. We must never default to promoting man's agenda because we desire selfish comforts or waveless waters. Most of all, we must love one another as Jesus loves each of us. We must remember that His authority always overrules our own. For He has the authority to judge our faithfulness. Because of this, we must always promote His way as the ONLY way. For the path to His kingdom is narrow enough. So, we should do all that we can to help one another avoid stumbling along the way.

Yesterday, I spoke up against one topic: divorce. I did so with James 5:19-20 in mind. "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Although I cannot change anyone's past and I do not claim to know the details of anyone's future while on earth, I am certain that God will forgive us when we repent and turn from evil. He will bless us when we follow His ways over our own.

Regardless of your situation... regardless of what you have lived through... regardless of the choices you have made by your own will or by obeying His will... please stop and listen when God speaks in the form of correction and reproof. Receive His Words when a fellow-believer shares something in love or when He brings truths to the table via scripture or other means. Stop and think about your emotional/physical motivation when someone challenges you about your spiritual choices. Above all, I exhort you to seek God first... His kingdom... His righteousness. For His way is the only way to live fully!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

My hope is that every DW comes to know God intimately rather than coasting along in their faith generically. My wish is that we each can openly love Him with our whole heart, soul, and mind without having to rationalize or make excuses about how we have chosen to live. For our choice should always default to holiness. So, let's motivate one another to seek after what is holy and simply choose Jesus' Way. Let's resolve to stay true to His truth without apology or waiver. Let's lay our comfort level on His altar and live out every trial He gives us in accordance to God's gracious, eternal plan. This is how Christ sacrificed for us. He endured every abuse, every trial, every temptation to the cross because He loved us more than His own comfort. Then he rose again to free us each from our sin. Let's love like Jesus and endure this short moment on earth in joyful obedience and humble sacrifice to His Word. His is the only Way. His foundations are certain. His institutions are sound. His kingdom is FOREVER AND EVER! So, enjoy His blessed richness and live fully while running forward... while running with your spiritual laces tied and your feet secure... while running safely and wisely home into the arms of the King.

I love you all. XOX! ~Victoria

Blessings in Jesus Name.
Blog Posting Written By Victoria Anderson