Teaching and Learning:
Facing Life Without Worry
Matthew 10:16-20
The Message
16"Stay
alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be
like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to
yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
17-20"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
17-20"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
Accepting Christianity is easy. Practicing Christianity is not. Putting your faith into action may lead you to walk against the wind; at times a howling wind.
Reflecting the love of Christ will result in the same misunderstanding and threat that Jesus faced when confronting the Pharisees. While the institutional Pharisee has not appeared since the destruction of Jerusalem, the essence of the Pharisee lives on in corruption, self-righteousness, self-defense and fear motivated treachery. The Pharisees knew the rules, indeed, wrote them. They attempted to follow the rules and coerce others into earning blessings by following the rules. However, in living a rule-centered existence, they neglected to adhere to the intent of the law.
Christians are free to choose to follow the intent of God's law. Christians follow a God-centered compass where the rules are few and love and justice are paramount.
As a Christian you do not travel this path alone. The Holy Spirit lives inside you, guiding and comforting you -- whispering courses of thought and deed. Can you walk confidently and fearlessly into the smoke, cloaked in God's armor?
Pray
Sit in silence. Ask God to reveal Himself in you. Wait, Open your mind and listen. God will answer in His time. Pray for confidence. Pray for courage.
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