Many years ago, I watched as a friend gave his life to the Lord. I had no understanding of what had happened, but somehow I knew he was different. You see, I had never been introduced to Jesus and without having a family connected with the church, I had no way of knowing the truth. My friend’s family came from a long line of churchgoers, so he fit right in and I am sure there was a celebration for his new birth. Throughout my teen years, I watched as others gave their lives to the Lord as this was the “Jesus movement” of the ‘70s. So many were leaving the party scene for the Jesus scene that I actually contemplated joining. Those that left, had a different way about them. It was a more joyous and sincere outlook on life. This intrigued me.

John 15:11 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Intrigued, but not overcome, I continued to chase what the world had to offer. Occasionally, I would look back on that summer of “76” and think about those who had given their lives over to Jesus. Where were they now and what were they doing? Did they stay committed to Jesus, or did they succumb to the constant pressure of the world? Did they somehow get worn down from the constant cajoling that a non-believer would put on them? Did campus life finally get to them? Had they fallen back into the lifestyle they had before? Were they somehow persecuted for their beliefs or made fun of by others? Or did they find a peace that surpasses all understanding? It is where no matter what was thrown their way, they were able to endure it. It would be many years before I would experience what they most assuredly did back in the ‘70s and it was an eye-opener.

Philippians 4:7 adds, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Thirty years later, as I freely sat in a church for the first time, I finally experienced the joy so many had talked about years ago. My sin before me, as the Holy Spirit convicted me and I repented, receiving a full pardon for my transgressions, I now understand who Jesus is talking about in His sermon on the hill in Galilee so many years ago. The redeemed are those that Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes. Only those who receive salvation will see the Kingdom of Heaven and only “they” will have the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness. Until that day of salvation, I could never have known who Jesus spoke about. While most people were intrigued by my instantaneous change, others were amused (thinking I was going through a phase), and yet others found no amusement at all in my new found faith. That very evening, I began a long list of calls inviting others to get to know the Savior and telling them of my new transformation. For most, this invitation was considered a nice gesture, but for others, it was an outright battle cry. There are those that I have not spoken to since that fateful night because of my testimony. Merely mentioning the name Jesus created a chasm that has yet to be spanned to this day. Yet, there are others who try and find a reason to knock me down a notch any chance they get. I guess it makes them nervous that I belong to the King.

Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

While it hurts to lose friends because of your faith in Jesus, it quickly becomes apparent that it is yet proof, you are a child of God. I am no prophet, but I see a time coming soon when we will see persecution, unlike anything we have seen before. At the mere mention of Jesus’ name, we may find ourselves in a place of extreme danger, but remember, it only proves we are His. Continue to pray for those who are now your enemies and that they too can become a child of God. Hopefully, they will learn first-hand what it means to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and the only way to receive that righteousness is through faith in Christ.

Romans 3:22-24 records, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

“Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’’” Luke 10:30-35

The age of COVID-19, masks, floods, political dissent, presidential campaign, and defunding the police has brought to the forefront a weakness in the church. As I have read social media posts by others, I soon realized we are on a precipitous slide. The outpouring of our hearts’ true self is alarming. As a supposedly cohesive group, we are quick to disagree and quick to condemn others who happen to be of a different persuasion. Pointing fingers at those who do not share our political ideas or backgrounds, we consider them the enemy. What I am saying is, our hearts are broken. Just like the Priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan, we have lost our way (Myself included).

Growing up, I was taught to “never allow a bad deed go unpunished.” It was thought of as being weak and foolish. Getting even meant that sometimes two wrongs do make a right. Seeking revenge was a “normal” reaction to those that seemingly had done you wrong. It was said, “Never allow yourself to be considered weak” by letting a wrong go unavenged. It was not the manly thing to do. Forgiveness was not considered an option, only a weakness. Showing understanding and compassion were less than masculine, and possibly a dangerous thing to do, that is until I received Christ. It changed everything. He changed everything.

Today, I see that same embattlement manifesting itself in the church. We have begun to appear like the world. Reacting to the smallest of provocations, we illicit man’s law in lieu of God’s. Instead of having compassion and mercy, we have chosen a different path. Just as the Pharisee and Levite, we have strayed from the course that Jesus intended. Allowing our differences to become a wedge in our relationship with others, we lose the credibility to speak into their lives. Seeing those shipwrecked along the way, we continue on a course unabated. Either because of selfish desires or worse yet, an angry heart, we have little patience for those we feel “deserve it.” I hope we remember, we also “deserve it,” and Christ had mercy on us. As those who have already found compassion from the Lord, we should share the hope that is in us. Our relationship with others should be mixed with salt and light, not anger and disdain, for the Holy Spirit is in us. Through no good of our own, we have been given mercy and we should show that as proof that we are His.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,  compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

It is confession time. How many times have I read this verse and not been grieved by the implications and depth of what it means? Writing a devotion on this verse has convicted me of my inability to see the truth. My sometimes haughty attitude was brought to full display as I thought about the meaning of what Jesus is saying here. While it is true, after receiving the gift of grace I have experienced moments of peaceful humility. More often than not, arrogance snuffs out the true peace that only absolute obedience to the Word brings. The root of pride runs deep even in the midst of sinful action. How quickly I find an excuse for my behavior when I feel confronted by others. How can I feel justified in my action and reason when I live outside the commandments that God has given me? Pride knows no boundaries.

Quickly, I am confronted by my own selfishness when I devote myself to Scripture. The Bible illuminates the real me and all that it implies, it becomes the litmus test that I must use to determine my nature. Brought to a place of self-reflection by the world around me, the Bible helps me to understand the nature of “self.” Thinking about the implications, I see that without the grace of God in my life, I have no ability to experience the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). My love for myself is only defeated when I submit to the Lord. There is no good that resides in me.

Romans 7:18 says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”

I see myself in God’s hand as He molds and shapes me, and sometimes “it just ain’t pretty,” but I know that I am a work in progress. As He transforms me into the likeness of His Son, I begin to experience that peace we all desire. Giving me a glimpse of what it means to have this peace, assures me of a future that I can look forward to. It is one in which the love for myself is replaced by a real and immovable love for the Lord. It is where I can look at my neighbor and truly understand what it means to love them as myself. I will be completely submitting to His will, and not my own vain desires. Even when I take a step back, I hope others might see the small step attributed only to Him, as the focal point. It is by the working of His grace within me that He will be glorified and I will gain the peace I long for.

Finally, in 1 Corinthians 15:10, we read, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”