Mirror, Mirror on the Wall… Who Am I… the Bully of Hate or the Saint of Love?
James 1:22-24 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
This weekend I looked in the Word of God, stood in front of His mirror called Romans Chapter 12, and praised God for the great work He is doing in my life… where I’ve been – where I am – and where I’m going…
Then… I turned on the “news”… and immediately FORGOT the natural face God showed me in His mirror! The “news” out of Charlottesville allowed me to delude myself into thinking I was fortunate not to be like THOSE people! I’m soooooo much better… sooooo much nicer…. sooooo much more caring…. I actually LISTEN when God preaches!
Let me hear you say DELUDED, MUCH?!
Paul said this about himself but I KNOW he was talking about me!… the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (Romans 7:19)
I looked in the mirror of Romans and SAW the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:21-23)
The Bullies of Hate in Charlottesville… I wasn’t there but my flesh (my natural face – the law of sin residing in my OLD nature) was! Satan prepared the battlefield, provided his minions with the fiery arrows of violence that would indeed turn the attendees into raging pillars of fire, and then, dressed as the angel of light (social justice warrior that he is) called for VENGEANCE, thy name is NOW!
Those that were in the battle, put on the armor of retaliation and raised the flag of remembrance for every perceived threat and injustice in the history of mankind (except of course those perpetrated by friendly fire). Those of us not in Charlottesville, did our part by changing the meme… no longer would it be JUSTICE (right to assemble)… it would be JUDGEMENT of opinion (your wrong words make my need to hurt you my only option). Those of us on social media did our part by arguing the right or wrong of violence – depending which side you were on – it became the “bad guys” versus the “good guys” with violence and intimidation being the ONLY OPTION!
Satan trapped us… with anger inflamed, and swords made from of OUR TRUTH, we took up for and became partners with the very bullies on our side that we hate on the other. We spoke unimaginable curses onto those who had the audacity to call us out for our own hatred (justified!) and shut down any and all discussion by words/labels that separate and never unify. The EVIL of violence toward any/every human became unimportant in order to satisfy our desire for SOMEBODY… ANYBODY… to bear the pain and hatred – my flesh was demanding PAYMENT!
I/We turned from the mirror of God’s Word and immediately forgot what kind of person I/we were (lifetime member of Bullies Anonymous) before CHRIST paid my debt… OUR DEBT… on the cross! Remember Jesus, the One who knew no sin (innocent) became sin (the sacrifice demanded by those of the flesh who had no right to “throw the first stone”) and was violently nailed to the cross (with, by the way, agreement of some public opinion)… We were/are… every one of us… THE BULLY of HATE!
This weekend… my flesh got the best of me. The old playground manta, “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me!”, yeah well, NOT so much! Words… yours, mine and ours… inflamed the flesh in me and nearly tempted me to destroy treasured relationships being built with the blood, sweat and tears of love.
But God…
Before the true enemy (Satan) could declare victory, the Holy Spirit of God whispered, “I created you to be a DOER… before you hate all those OTHER BULLIES… DO MY WORD and therefore, become my SAINT OF LOVE.
He said…
Give Me your body to do with as I wish! Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)
Oh – oh… I admit I engaged Him in some SERIOUS “Wrestling”… (Spoiler Alert!) He won! And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
What was my point of contention? … Who is the better bully? He trumped my cards with… Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
Hated of evil (Ephesians 6:12) – YES!
Hatred of people (even the ugly) – NEVER! Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (Romans 12:10-13)
But… BUT… BUT!!!!!!! He/She STARTED IT… Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
I just wanted the RIGHTEOUS to FINALLY WIN! Which of course requires my assessment of the who’s who of blame and who NEEDS/HAS TO fix…
The Holy Spirit reminded me that God’s job was to judge the living and the dead, it was my job to be among them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (Romans 12:16) But remember… The SAME MIND is NOT the SAME THOUGHTS!
Finally… Never… NEVER… NEVER!!!!!! Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:17) In fact… If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18)
Always… ALWAYS… ALWAYS!!! Leave ROOM FOR GOD
Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall… Am I a JUST a hearer or am I a hearer and a doer?
Romans 12:20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Does my flesh delude me so well that I do not see the Bully of Hate in my own flesh?
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall… I so wanna be God’s Saint of Love!
Wretched woman that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!…Romans 7:24…
Mirror Mirror on the wall… guess who is a WORK IN PROGRESS!!!!!
Mirror Mirror on the wall… I AM HIS… work in progress!!!!!!
**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible