Greetings my dear brothers in Christ I pray that all is well with you and that the love, peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ abounds with you and through you.
I am writing this to you to share a loving correction from the Lord. Without going into too much detail I have a friend who I love dearly in the Lord and lately they have been going through a rough time. Being that I care so deeply for this friend I have been praying for my friend and how I may be of help to them. This kicked my mind into overdrive. But instead of leaning more into prayer my mind began to venture into speculation. What did they do to be going through such troubles? What are they thinking? What are the motives of their heart? Don't they realize how…. It was at this point the Lord told me to be silent. “My son, do you not realize what you are doing? You are being just as foolish as Job's friends! Do you not remember the lesson from Job? That even if you do everything right sometimes things will go wrong? Do you not remember the pain and grief Job's friends caused him by doing what you just now were doing? Do you not remember how it was Job's friends who had to repent! Do you not remember how Peter had to be corrected after being worried about John's calling?
As it is written John 21:20-23 NIV
[20] Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) [21] When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” [22] Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” [23] Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.21.20-23.NIV
My son, I know the plans I have for all of you keep your eyes on me and be obedient. Do not concern yourself with such questions, because it is not wise nor is it for you to do. Only I know the motivation of anyone's heart. Only I know what is really going on. You only need to concern yourself with me and do as I have asked you to love them.
As it is written Ephesians 4:2-4, 6 NIV
[2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.4.2-6.NIV
Now go forth and be my son as it is written John 13:34-35 NIV
[34] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.13.34-35.NIV
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ I pray that by me sharing how I was corrected it may be of encouragement to you. As we fight the good fight, we will come across painful moments and may be hurt by the actions of others. But I caution you not to be like Job's friends and bring accusations as a prosecuting detective looking to in an act of self-righteous judgment, but to emulate Christ. We don't know the depths of the battles people face. We don't know the severity of the wounds that have been inflicted nor the weight of their burdens and even if the person was able to explain everything to the best of their ability that still would not even scratch the surface of the complexity of the situation.
Only God truly sees as it is written Ephesians 6:11-20 NIV
[11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.6.11-20.NIV
May we stand together in unity brothers and sisters in Christ so that we may not lose sight of our mission. Let us spur one another in love and be of a vigilant sober mind fixed on Christ so that we may not fall to the schemes of the evil one but that we would resist him together and glorify our Father in Heaven.
Let us be Christ to each other rather than accusers and speculators. Let us be friends like Christ not friends of Job.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Pastor Dakota Swinton