Romans 4
By Faith alone - "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them" (4:7,8).
Paul continues to stress that it is not by works, by obligation, by our deeds, our own effort that we are saved. It is by believing. It is by faith. It is by believing faith in the person of Jesus Christ that we are saved. It is because of Christ's great love and by His works/His obedience to the point of death on the cross, that we are saved.
Paul stresses that there is not a sin that is too great for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ to cover. And remember, when we receive forgiveness, it is because of God's kindness (evidenced ultimately by the Cross) and that leads us to repentance...God looks at our hearts. God knows our sincerity. God knows the difference between attitudes of "well God will forgive me, so I can ________" as opposed to "oh God, again this struggle/giving into this temptation has happened, have mercy on me Lord, forgive me, help me...what is it that keeps me repeating this over and over again?!"
God knows our struggle. God knows our temptations. God is merciful, kind, forgiving, is able to bring healing and wholeness...God wants our hearts. The difference in our hearts can be seen in that prior to receiving Jesus' forgiveness and being filled with the Holy Spirit, our attitude toward sin, toward destructive behaviors (which we may not have even seen as such) was often one of 'not caring' or not thinking we wanted to walk any differently, usually not remorse before the Lord. After Jesus comes into our lives, our hearts and consciences become more and more sensitive to God's ways vs. our own way - and while we may struggle, our hearts and minds and spirits long to follow God and not dishonor God.
And God knows the difference. And we know the difference.
"Lord please help us to see ourselves as You do - people whom You Love, people for whom You gave Your Son's Life, people for whom You long to shower mercy and grace upon and bring more and more into the fullness of who You created us to be. Thank You for Your Love. Thank You for Your power in our lives. Bless You Lord!"
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Perfect Love
Romans 5
The second Scripture in "Romans Road" is 5:8 - this is 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ die for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. BUT GOD demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Wow - Elaboration or commentary on these verses would only be for emphasis, perhaps giving some historical context as to why sacrifice (of Jesus) was something that folks in that day would embrace (the Old Testament clearly portrays the Jewish tradition of sacrificing for various acts of disobedience to the law and for atonement of sin).
We know it is true that 'rarely someone would die for a righteous or good person'; parents often say they would die for their children. Perhaps a spouse would die for his/her spouse. BUT GOD would sent His only Son to die for disobedient folks BECAUSE God's Love is a perfect Love of a Father for his son or daughter (you and me). God the Father's father/mother Love for us is that - and not only could we not pay the price for our disobedience to God/sin, but would not be the pure sacrifice, the Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus - God Himself, payment.
"Thank You Lord for Your deep, deep Love that You exercised on our (my) behalf and that You continue to do each day! This foundation of our relationship with You, the foundation of our faith in Jesus, never is passe or 'gettin' old'....let us receive You, receive Your Love through faith, even today with grateful, thankful hearts....and extend Your Love to others."
The second Scripture in "Romans Road" is 5:8 - this is 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ die for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. BUT GOD demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Wow - Elaboration or commentary on these verses would only be for emphasis, perhaps giving some historical context as to why sacrifice (of Jesus) was something that folks in that day would embrace (the Old Testament clearly portrays the Jewish tradition of sacrificing for various acts of disobedience to the law and for atonement of sin).
We know it is true that 'rarely someone would die for a righteous or good person'; parents often say they would die for their children. Perhaps a spouse would die for his/her spouse. BUT GOD would sent His only Son to die for disobedient folks BECAUSE God's Love is a perfect Love of a Father for his son or daughter (you and me). God the Father's father/mother Love for us is that - and not only could we not pay the price for our disobedience to God/sin, but would not be the pure sacrifice, the Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus - God Himself, payment.
"Thank You Lord for Your deep, deep Love that You exercised on our (my) behalf and that You continue to do each day! This foundation of our relationship with You, the foundation of our faith in Jesus, never is passe or 'gettin' old'....let us receive You, receive Your Love through faith, even today with grateful, thankful hearts....and extend Your Love to others."
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Judge Not
Romans 2:1-4a
Yesterday we focused on the last part of 2:4; the Kindness of God leading us to repentance. Today we are looking at the proceeding verses, and the first half of verse 4. We hear a lot today about how we aren't suppose to judge others. Even those who do not proclaim Jesus as their Savior, even those who do not profess to seeing the Word of God as their standard, will use the Bible's admonition of 'not judging others' as their back-up to say 'don't judge me, don't call me out."
Most of the time when this phrase is used it is taken out of the context of Scripture. Often it is used as a way of saying to someone, "what I do is none of your business" or "what someone else does is none of your business." However, this sentiment is not the message of Scripture's 'not sitting in judgment of someone else." There are a many messages related to judging in the context of Scripture. Romans 2:1-4 speaks of judging others, calling another out for a wrong or sin when in fact the one doing the calling out/judging is doing the same thing. Paul is bringing out the fact that if I am pointing out your sin, I can be sure that if I'm engaging in the same/like practice, I will be held to the same standard as I'm pointing out to you.
Matthew 7:1-5 highlights a similar reality and perhaps is a more familiar verse even to those who don't read the Bible or take it's Truth to heart - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in our brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?...FIRST take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Among the primary point's of these verses is that we are not to be hypocritical. We actually are able to observe other's actions or hear their words and determine whether or not we are observing sin....and then we can speak the Truth IN LOVE in order to help another. However, we ought first evaluate our own actions and words, using the Word, Jesus as our standard. Then in grace and mercy, which we have received from the Lord, impart that to others. We are not able, however, to speak to another's motivation or intent of the heart....only God can see another's heart, only God really knows our own heart...God is the Judge of our hearts, and is even great than our hearts!
In Romans 2:1-4a, we see Paul admonishing believer's in a similar manner as Jesus' admonishment sited above. Paul is pointing out that, in fact, when I call out another's sin, and am practicing the same/like sin, I actually am condemning myself! Also, that I am actually calling into contempt (disrespect, dishonor, disgrace,disdain, scorn, calling out in hatred of, worthless, in meanness, and vile!) "the richness of God's kindness, tolerance, and patience" which is meant to lead others and ourselves to repentance. WOW. So when I point my finger against another (and really myself) I can actually be interrupting, negating, defocusing, interfering with the movement of God to bring folks to repentance (and Life).
It is not that we should not call sin, sin - we have an obligation as brother's and sister's in Christ, out of love, to speak the Truth in Love... it is that we do not put ourselves above our brother or sister when doing so, and that we do not do it while hiding our own sin.
(We are not to do so for any other reason, however, and we are not to do so in any other manner, other than love. When people are not in Christ, our approach is to be very different, however, because they are not looking to Jesus, they are not filled with the Holy Spirit, and don't have the capacity within (which is the Holy Spirit) to NOT sin... It becomes a different conversation, but is still in love. It becomes first about God's great Love for them, and how destructive actions hurt them (which is also the case for believers, sin is destructive and hurts us AND is an offense to God - because it hurts (us) the very ones God created in His Image...!) - this is another topic which deserves much more consideration.)
"Lord help me (us) to extend the kindness, tolerance, and patience that You do toward me (us), to others - leaving space for the Holy Spirit to call others (and myself) to Yourself!"
Yesterday we focused on the last part of 2:4; the Kindness of God leading us to repentance. Today we are looking at the proceeding verses, and the first half of verse 4. We hear a lot today about how we aren't suppose to judge others. Even those who do not proclaim Jesus as their Savior, even those who do not profess to seeing the Word of God as their standard, will use the Bible's admonition of 'not judging others' as their back-up to say 'don't judge me, don't call me out."
Most of the time when this phrase is used it is taken out of the context of Scripture. Often it is used as a way of saying to someone, "what I do is none of your business" or "what someone else does is none of your business." However, this sentiment is not the message of Scripture's 'not sitting in judgment of someone else." There are a many messages related to judging in the context of Scripture. Romans 2:1-4 speaks of judging others, calling another out for a wrong or sin when in fact the one doing the calling out/judging is doing the same thing. Paul is bringing out the fact that if I am pointing out your sin, I can be sure that if I'm engaging in the same/like practice, I will be held to the same standard as I'm pointing out to you.
Matthew 7:1-5 highlights a similar reality and perhaps is a more familiar verse even to those who don't read the Bible or take it's Truth to heart - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in our brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?...FIRST take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Among the primary point's of these verses is that we are not to be hypocritical. We actually are able to observe other's actions or hear their words and determine whether or not we are observing sin....and then we can speak the Truth IN LOVE in order to help another. However, we ought first evaluate our own actions and words, using the Word, Jesus as our standard. Then in grace and mercy, which we have received from the Lord, impart that to others. We are not able, however, to speak to another's motivation or intent of the heart....only God can see another's heart, only God really knows our own heart...God is the Judge of our hearts, and is even great than our hearts!
In Romans 2:1-4a, we see Paul admonishing believer's in a similar manner as Jesus' admonishment sited above. Paul is pointing out that, in fact, when I call out another's sin, and am practicing the same/like sin, I actually am condemning myself! Also, that I am actually calling into contempt (disrespect, dishonor, disgrace,disdain, scorn, calling out in hatred of, worthless, in meanness, and vile!) "the richness of God's kindness, tolerance, and patience" which is meant to lead others and ourselves to repentance. WOW. So when I point my finger against another (and really myself) I can actually be interrupting, negating, defocusing, interfering with the movement of God to bring folks to repentance (and Life).
It is not that we should not call sin, sin - we have an obligation as brother's and sister's in Christ, out of love, to speak the Truth in Love... it is that we do not put ourselves above our brother or sister when doing so, and that we do not do it while hiding our own sin.
(We are not to do so for any other reason, however, and we are not to do so in any other manner, other than love. When people are not in Christ, our approach is to be very different, however, because they are not looking to Jesus, they are not filled with the Holy Spirit, and don't have the capacity within (which is the Holy Spirit) to NOT sin... It becomes a different conversation, but is still in love. It becomes first about God's great Love for them, and how destructive actions hurt them (which is also the case for believers, sin is destructive and hurts us AND is an offense to God - because it hurts (us) the very ones God created in His Image...!) - this is another topic which deserves much more consideration.)
"Lord help me (us) to extend the kindness, tolerance, and patience that You do toward me (us), to others - leaving space for the Holy Spirit to call others (and myself) to Yourself!"
Friday, June 4, 2010
God's Kindness
Romans 2
This chapter contains one of the realities that I recall nearly everyday - because by God's grace I see and experience it many times a day - "...God's kindness..."(Romans 2:4). God's kindness is evident (as Romans 1 describes! ) generally, all around (me) us everyday. All kindness has it's origin in God. "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1:17). (I) We also see specific, non-generalized, kindness toward us everyday - often we don't see it as such, or we don't recognize it as "God's Kindness", yet that does not change the reality - all kindness is God's kindness....Please feel free to debate this, I'd like to hear any opposing position!
But this isn't the whole of the reality - God's kindness. "...God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Did you know that God's kindness is not an end in itself, although it is a necessary and wonderful experience? There is an expected response to God's kindness...and expectation of the Giver of kindness. It is a response of repentance...a realization that I don't deserve God's kindness - I can't 'earn' God's kindness - unlike 1 + 1 = 2...God's kindness is not based on an equation. "If I _______(a good thing) then I will receive kindness in return." We can all recall situations when we have been kind to others, when we have done good things, and we have not received 'in kind' back, right? God's kindness isn't dependent on my being kind; God's kindness is dependent on God - because God is kind and because God loves us (God is Love) - that is why God is kind toward us.
However, what is my response to kindness? It is to reflect on the condition of my own actions/attitudes/...sin - and then because of God's kindness, I am led to say, "thank You Lord...please forgive me for__________; thank You for Your Kindness toward me, thank You for all the blessings in my life, thank You for Your provision, Your protection, Your Presence, Your kindness toward me, Your Love..."
And do you know what repentance leads to? Life. Real Life. Not only salvation - although that would be enough! Every time I am repentant I gain more freedom in real time.
It is likened to the principle that "I'm blessed to be a blessing." That when I receive blessing (God's kindness!), my response is to turn around and pass that blessing on to someone else, who in turn...
"Lord, help us to have eyes to see You, Your Kindness, to repent, and Live!"
Tomorrow's Bible Reading will focus on the first part of verse 4; and the previous verses in the chapter in order to see the context of this part of the verse! Stay tuned!
This chapter contains one of the realities that I recall nearly everyday - because by God's grace I see and experience it many times a day - "...God's kindness..."(Romans 2:4). God's kindness is evident (as Romans 1 describes! ) generally, all around (me) us everyday. All kindness has it's origin in God. "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1:17). (I) We also see specific, non-generalized, kindness toward us everyday - often we don't see it as such, or we don't recognize it as "God's Kindness", yet that does not change the reality - all kindness is God's kindness....Please feel free to debate this, I'd like to hear any opposing position!
But this isn't the whole of the reality - God's kindness. "...God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Did you know that God's kindness is not an end in itself, although it is a necessary and wonderful experience? There is an expected response to God's kindness...and expectation of the Giver of kindness. It is a response of repentance...a realization that I don't deserve God's kindness - I can't 'earn' God's kindness - unlike 1 + 1 = 2...God's kindness is not based on an equation. "If I _______(a good thing) then I will receive kindness in return." We can all recall situations when we have been kind to others, when we have done good things, and we have not received 'in kind' back, right? God's kindness isn't dependent on my being kind; God's kindness is dependent on God - because God is kind and because God loves us (God is Love) - that is why God is kind toward us.
However, what is my response to kindness? It is to reflect on the condition of my own actions/attitudes/...sin - and then because of God's kindness, I am led to say, "thank You Lord...please forgive me for__________; thank You for Your Kindness toward me, thank You for all the blessings in my life, thank You for Your provision, Your protection, Your Presence, Your kindness toward me, Your Love..."
And do you know what repentance leads to? Life. Real Life. Not only salvation - although that would be enough! Every time I am repentant I gain more freedom in real time.
It is likened to the principle that "I'm blessed to be a blessing." That when I receive blessing (God's kindness!), my response is to turn around and pass that blessing on to someone else, who in turn...
"Lord, help us to have eyes to see You, Your Kindness, to repent, and Live!"
Tomorrow's Bible Reading will focus on the first part of verse 4; and the previous verses in the chapter in order to see the context of this part of the verse! Stay tuned!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Increase My Faith Lord
Romans 1
We start today with the book of Romans. It is speculated from historical, extra-Biblical literature that Paul was released from his Roman prison after 2 years, never going before Caesar - perhaps the prosecutors didn't get their legal accusations together in a timely manner...whatever the case, he didn't 'rot in jail' nor was he executed at that point (Acts 28)!
Romans 1 is a powerful apologetic for how the world is without acknowledgment and Lordship of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The state of our nation is reflected through the reading of Romans 1...not much 'new under the sun' - we could substitute 'anywhere' USA for Rome.
What struck me in the reading is the (saving) faith principle - the nature of faith (1:5, 12; Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 2:12-15; Hebrews 10:4). It is a gift from God. Faith in Christ cannot be earned, it has to be given by God and has to be received by us, through the grace of God. Today as I have often done and will continue to do, I ask God to increase my faith...to increase, add to, enlarge, the gift of faith that He has given me. Romans 1:17, "...the righteous will live by faith". I want the Lord to add to the gift of faith He has given me and I've received, such that my life - that is really His Life through me (Galatians 2:20) - will be a greater and greater walk of faith. So that I will decreasingly walk based on what my eyes see, my ears hear, my hands perform, my feelings reveal...but that increasingly my eyes will be the eyes of FAITH, my ears would be the ears of FAITH, my hands would be the hands of FAITH, and my feelings would reveal FAITH. That God will be Glorified!
Would you join me today in asking the Lord to increase your faith? "Lord, increase faith within me."
We start today with the book of Romans. It is speculated from historical, extra-Biblical literature that Paul was released from his Roman prison after 2 years, never going before Caesar - perhaps the prosecutors didn't get their legal accusations together in a timely manner...whatever the case, he didn't 'rot in jail' nor was he executed at that point (Acts 28)!
Romans 1 is a powerful apologetic for how the world is without acknowledgment and Lordship of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The state of our nation is reflected through the reading of Romans 1...not much 'new under the sun' - we could substitute 'anywhere' USA for Rome.
What struck me in the reading is the (saving) faith principle - the nature of faith (1:5, 12; Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 2:12-15; Hebrews 10:4). It is a gift from God. Faith in Christ cannot be earned, it has to be given by God and has to be received by us, through the grace of God. Today as I have often done and will continue to do, I ask God to increase my faith...to increase, add to, enlarge, the gift of faith that He has given me. Romans 1:17, "...the righteous will live by faith". I want the Lord to add to the gift of faith He has given me and I've received, such that my life - that is really His Life through me (Galatians 2:20) - will be a greater and greater walk of faith. So that I will decreasingly walk based on what my eyes see, my ears hear, my hands perform, my feelings reveal...but that increasingly my eyes will be the eyes of FAITH, my ears would be the ears of FAITH, my hands would be the hands of FAITH, and my feelings would reveal FAITH. That God will be Glorified!
Would you join me today in asking the Lord to increase your faith? "Lord, increase faith within me."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Journey and Destination
Acts 28
Food for Life:
Acts 28
Through the book of Acts, through to this last chapter, Paul is traveling to a destination (in Acts 28, Rome) yet on his journey with Jesus, to his destination, he takes every opportunity to speak of/bring healing in the hope that lies within him...the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ Himself! "For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain" (28:20). Even in chains, Paul takes opportunity, even ASKS for opportunity (first with his Father, and then the people) to speak about the Hope within him; the hope that is also "Israel" [Israel's]...even if they don't know it yet!
In reading, I began to think about my destinations(s) and my journey with Jesus. Do I take every opportunity and ask for the opportunity - through prayer and with those around me - to speak on the Hope of Glory, not only when I arrive to my intended destination, but all along the way, all along my journey with Jesus?
Paul found himself in all kinds of unintended places throughout his journey, toward his destination. I too experience that, do you? Do you find yourself in unintended, even undesirable places as you are striving/working toward/traveling to a destination? Do you find yourself not reaching your intended destination at times? I do.
What do you do with that? Sometimes I grumble and complain (within myself, to the Lord) and ask, "what am I doing here???" Do you? Sometimes I waste precious time with this questioning, rather than, like Paul, blooming where I'm planted; taking and asking for opportunity to testify through word and deed about the Hope that lies within me. I wonder how many people have not received of the Lord because I was busy "grumbling" instead of being busy about the things of the Lord?
What about you?
"Lord, forgive me/us for planting ourselves, at times, in our own ways and plans and then grumbling when they don't materialize. Instead, help us by Your Grace and Holy Spirit Power to recognize that You are about greater and higher things, in our places not planned (by us), than we can imagine! Help us to be so immersed in You that it really won't matter the when's and where's, but only about The One and Whose we are and Who You want to hear about and experience the Hope that lies within us. Thank You Lord for the Apostle Paul's example. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Thank You for Jesus!!"
Food for Life:
Acts 28
Through the book of Acts, through to this last chapter, Paul is traveling to a destination (in Acts 28, Rome) yet on his journey with Jesus, to his destination, he takes every opportunity to speak of/bring healing in the hope that lies within him...the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ Himself! "For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain" (28:20). Even in chains, Paul takes opportunity, even ASKS for opportunity (first with his Father, and then the people) to speak about the Hope within him; the hope that is also "Israel" [Israel's]...even if they don't know it yet!
In reading, I began to think about my destinations(s) and my journey with Jesus. Do I take every opportunity and ask for the opportunity - through prayer and with those around me - to speak on the Hope of Glory, not only when I arrive to my intended destination, but all along the way, all along my journey with Jesus?
Paul found himself in all kinds of unintended places throughout his journey, toward his destination. I too experience that, do you? Do you find yourself in unintended, even undesirable places as you are striving/working toward/traveling to a destination? Do you find yourself not reaching your intended destination at times? I do.
What do you do with that? Sometimes I grumble and complain (within myself, to the Lord) and ask, "what am I doing here???" Do you? Sometimes I waste precious time with this questioning, rather than, like Paul, blooming where I'm planted; taking and asking for opportunity to testify through word and deed about the Hope that lies within me. I wonder how many people have not received of the Lord because I was busy "grumbling" instead of being busy about the things of the Lord?
What about you?
"Lord, forgive me/us for planting ourselves, at times, in our own ways and plans and then grumbling when they don't materialize. Instead, help us by Your Grace and Holy Spirit Power to recognize that You are about greater and higher things, in our places not planned (by us), than we can imagine! Help us to be so immersed in You that it really won't matter the when's and where's, but only about The One and Whose we are and Who You want to hear about and experience the Hope that lies within us. Thank You Lord for the Apostle Paul's example. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Thank You for Jesus!!"
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Weapons of our Warfare ( 2 Corinthians 10:4,5)
Today I'm snagging another's devotional - as it is so necessary an understanding for us as we journey with Jesus! It comes from "Ransomed Heart" "Lord help us to see Life from Your viewpoint - to see the spiritual reality of our earthly lives, and call on You to do what only You can do! To remember that, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but Divine, and able to tear down every stronghold and lofty speculation raised up against the knowledge of God..." (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)!!
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
There Is No Escaping This War
Remember, when Jesus boiled his whole mission down to healing the brokenhearted and setting prisoners free from darkness, he was referring to all of us. Our modern, scientific, Enlightenment worldview has simply removed spiritual warfare as a practical category, and so it shouldn't surprise us that we can't see spiritual strongholds after we say they don't really exist.
If you deny the battle raging against your heart, well, then, the thief just gets to steal and kill and destroy. Some friends of mine started a Christian school together a few years ago. It had been their shared dream for nearly all their adult lives. After years of praying and talking and dreaming, it finally happened. Then the assault came . . . but they would not see it as such. It was "hassles" and "misunderstanding" at first. As it grew worse, it became a rift between them. A mutual friend warned them of the warfare, urged them to fight it as such. "No," they insisted, "this is about us. We just don't see eye-to-eye." I'm sorry to say their school shut its doors a few months ago, and the two aren't speaking to each other. Because they refused to fight it for the warfare it was, they got taken out. I could tell you many, many stories like that.
There is no war is the subtle-but pervasive-lie sown by an Enemy so familiar to us we don't even see him. For too long he has infiltrated the ranks of the church, and we haven't even recognized him.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
There Is No Escaping This War
Remember, when Jesus boiled his whole mission down to healing the brokenhearted and setting prisoners free from darkness, he was referring to all of us. Our modern, scientific, Enlightenment worldview has simply removed spiritual warfare as a practical category, and so it shouldn't surprise us that we can't see spiritual strongholds after we say they don't really exist.
If you deny the battle raging against your heart, well, then, the thief just gets to steal and kill and destroy. Some friends of mine started a Christian school together a few years ago. It had been their shared dream for nearly all their adult lives. After years of praying and talking and dreaming, it finally happened. Then the assault came . . . but they would not see it as such. It was "hassles" and "misunderstanding" at first. As it grew worse, it became a rift between them. A mutual friend warned them of the warfare, urged them to fight it as such. "No," they insisted, "this is about us. We just don't see eye-to-eye." I'm sorry to say their school shut its doors a few months ago, and the two aren't speaking to each other. Because they refused to fight it for the warfare it was, they got taken out. I could tell you many, many stories like that.
There is no war is the subtle-but pervasive-lie sown by an Enemy so familiar to us we don't even see him. For too long he has infiltrated the ranks of the church, and we haven't even recognized him.
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