GodReflection: Conflict Zone.
Therefore, I urge you to imitate me – The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 4:16).
The New Testament introduces us to people who are God followers. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell the story of Mary and Joseph. In rich narratives each time they encounter the Holy their response is complete obedience. What remarkable people. Every time they enter the Conflict Zone of a yes-no decision the answer yes comes from their hearts. I’m afraid that’s not always my record in decision making.
Next, the Gospels present the twelve Apostles. The Apostles prior to Jesus’s crucifixion are easier to imitate as the weakness of their clay feet appears rather frequently while they begin to follow Jesus on the dusty roads toward his cross.
After they witnessed Jesus’s resurrection and ascension each entry into the Conflict Zone seems to inspire affirmation to Jesus. Their success rate increases.
The one notable exception was the Apostle Peter who Paul the Apostle calls out in (Galatians 2) for his wrong decision to withhold table fellowship from believers of another race because Christians from his nationality were present. The mistakes of this apostle should make it easy for each one of us to identify with him. From his call until Paul’s rebuke the story is one told in the Conflict Zone. He sometimes gets it wrong and other times the Apostle Peter makes courageous choices.
Fortunately, The New Testament contains two letters the Apostle Peter writes in his old age. As a mature and trusted advocate of his Savior Jesus he is a changed man. His example and writings now stand out as a high-water mark of trust. They sound the call to live in total commitment to follow Jesus.
I read about another apostle. The Apostle John could make a list of his own bad decisions prior to the resurrection of Jesus. He too fails from time to time in the yes/no department. Like, the Apostle Peter, the Apostle John writes in his old age. He paints the heart of love at a scale that may seem to us beyond our performance level.
The New Testament church introduces me to Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Dorcus, Aquila and Priscilla. All shout their affirmative yes to the risen Jesus and a loud no when Satan blocks their way.
This post is not complete without consideration of the life of the Apostle Paul. Called by Jesus to share God’s gift of grace with the whole world beyond his Jewish brothers and sisters, his life and inspired pen compose one half of the New Testament. Consequently, we know more about him than we do of any other follower of Jesus. He holds before his readers the perfect Jesus.
I assume it is in a time when he finds himself in a dark valley that he writes To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13).
I read how Paul lives and see what he does and I feel conflicted. Paul like the others gives his all to Jesus in actions that I don’t or can’t imitate. I’ve never been shipwrecked or beaten. I have never gone without food or water. Once again, I find myself in the middle of the Conflict Zone. Am I less of a disciple because I can’t imitate Apostle Paul’s example?
Thankfully, the men and women I’ve mentioned are neither our savior nor our judge. Only Jesus has a heart and shoulders large enough to stand in that role. His trip to the cross carried my imperfections and paid for all my sin.
He now walks beside us through every Conflict Zone. Sure, it hurts him when we make wrong decisions. However, his spirit is always present to grow and to guide our walk. We must learn to pay closer attention.
While on this earth-walk his hand holds secure to ours even when we aspire to do good and fail. He knowns we walk with a limp from our Adam and Eve inherited genes of imperfection. Jesus’s grace covers our limp.
On the new earth under the new heaven all will be made right. Let’s plan to limp forward awaiting that day that will be ours without a Conflict Zone. Hope you will grab your cane and limp with me guided by the light of Jesus until we arrive. Even on those days when we ask the question Why Does It Seem Like Others Are Better Following Jesus Than We Are?
Stay tuned.
Dr. Gary J. Sorrells
A GodReflection: Why Does It Seem Like Others Are Better Following Jesus Than We Are?
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