I have been reading this book for the past few days, and to be honest with you all, I can't put it down. Well I am actually reading it on my Kindle app, but that is beside the point.
The adoration that I have for Beth Moore's writing and speaking is huge. She is an amazing woman with a spunky personality. God has blessed her immensely with the ability to communicate- and her words always hit home with me.
I have always wondered why there seems to be so many stories of church leaders who fall to sin- but I guess I never really thought about the fact that Satan's attack against them, because they are people of influence, is that much greater. I am sure you all have your own stories of people you knew or looked up to who have been lead astray.
Beth talks about how because we are living in the End Times, we will see more and more of people who fall to ungodly things.
2 Timothy 3:1-7
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed woman, who are loaded down with sins and swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.
Those 'times' surely sound like our 'times'. Don't they?
Here is where I struggle- If there is someone out there who could help me with this, your input would be greatly appreciated. How do you love people back after they have chosen the ungodly way- if they don't want to be reconciled?
Our office does Blackaby's "Experiencing God", and last Monday's devotional truly hit home. Here is what is said:
Be Reconciled!
"Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:24)
It is useless to give offerings to God while you are at enmity with your brother. Jesus said that His followers should be reconciled with anyone who has something against them. The world seeks reconciliation on limited terms. Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes.
You say, “But you don’t know how deeply he hurt me! It’s unreasonable to ask me to restore our relationship.” Or, “I tried but she would not be appeased.” Jesus did not include an exception clause for our reconciliation. If the person is an enemy, Jesus said to love him (Matt. 5:44). If he persecutes you, you are to pray for him (v. 44). If she publicly humiliates you, you are not to retaliate (v. 39). If someone takes advantage of you, you are to give even more than he asks (v. 41). The world preaches “Assert yourself.” Jesus taught, “Deny yourself.” The world warns that you will be constantly exploited. Jesus’ concern was not that His disciples be treated fairly but that they show unconditional love to others regardless of how they were treated. Men spat upon Jesus and nailed Him to a cross. His response was our model: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
If there were ever a command that is constantly disobeyed, it is this mandate to be reconciled. We comfort ourselves with the thought, “God knows that I tried to make things right, but my enemy refused.” God’s word does not say “Try to be reconciled,” but “Be reconciled.” Is there someone with whom you need to make peace? Then do what God tells you to do.
HOW????
Advice? Input? Anything?
