Something Isn’t Right, But Some Things Are

Have you ever been in the middle of a project and ran head-first into a brick wall?

That’s kind of what just happened to me. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Though, walking into walls literally isn’t uncommon for me. As is my nature it seems, literally and metaphorically or spiritually, sometimes I get so focused on where I am going that I don’t see what is right in front of me. Until I painfully run into it.

I was going to start writing the next chapter of, “These Things Saith He” and I froze because I started to consider some things differently, and this has thrown me for a loop. Truly, we don’t really know anything as we should. Or maybe I am going astray from what is right. In any case, something is wrong and I need to take some time to figure it out, Lord willing.

Something isn’t right, but I know that the general understanding I have is true and given by the Spirit of the Lord. Even so, there are some details that I am hung up on, and for me, these details matter because “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” One misunderstanding in the wrong place, even a small one, can have large, corrupting effects down the line.

However, there are some things that I know are true, and I want to leave you with these while I take some time away to sort the rest out, Lord willing.

I believe that we can take the generalized themes learned in the letters to the 7 churches as fundamental components of the Christian walk. With these, we can grow as a Christian aught to as one who is growing into Christ, more and more until the day He returns.

These ideas can only be understood correctly if we first know the teachings of Jesus and the apostles while seeking and following the instruction that the Holy Spirit gives. Although much could be expanded upon and explained concerning these ideas, here they are in basic terms for your consideration:

• Stand up for what is good and true, but first and foremost, do all things out of a love for Jesus and for others.
• Expect suffering as a Christian knowing that through Jesus, we will overcome death.
• Use the word of God justly, not as an excuse for sinful living, thereby causing others to stumble in the faith.
• A love of this world is fornication with this world. The love of Christ, which Jesus will teach, is a love of Him and not of this world.
• Do not quench the Spirit of God; continue to seek the Spirit so that we can walk after the Spirit as one who is alive from the dead.
• Patiently trust and wait on the Lord, knowing that He will provide all things according to His perfect will and timing, including mercy, judgment, justice, and that which is needful in body, spirit, and service to the Lord.
• Do not covet the riches of this world and be content therewith, but be zealous for the things of God, always seeking more of Him as one who is “poor in spirit.”