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Feb. 7th, 2006 10:57 pmI think I've expressed to some of you before how I think we just need to love people for the sake of loving them and leave the agenda of conversion out of it. And I still believe that. It's just that tonight I realize if I really love people, I'll want them to know Jesus. And that is just how crazy this is. I shouldn't love people with an agenda...but if I love them at all, how could I keep the most amazing love of all to myself?! I mean, how loving is that?! I mean, most of us think or have thought at one time that we're good people, right? And therefore how could a loving God send us to hell? Well, let's just take the Ten Commandments and say that's the standard of goodness. Have you ever lied? Shoot, I have. What do you call someone who lies? A liar, right? Well then, I'm a liar. Have you ever stolen anything, even if it's something small? If so, you're a thief. Have you ever lusted after anyone? Jesus said if anyone lusts after anyone, they've committed adultery with them in their hearts. Now I if I've done it, most of you have probably done it too. And here's the one that got me tonight. Jesus said if you hate someone it's just as bad as murder. So here I sit, a lying, thieving, adulterous murderer...and that's only four of the Ten Commandments, and probably not even 1% of the entire law given to the Jews. So who thinks they're a good person now? I don't.
And here's the statement that changed my life: your sin, my sin, which is just missing the mark of who God made us to be...it hurts God. I read a verse in Jeremiah 13 last week of God speaking to the people of Israel saying "if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD's flock will be taken captive." God wanted to save them so badly, and He loved them so much that He wept bitterly when they were taken captive. Jesus Himself wept bitterly over His own people because they didn't recognize Who He was and listen to Him. And I think He does the same thing now when people sin. I think He just says to Himself, "They think they're so liberated, but they're not! And when I try to turn them away from the very think they're destroying themselves with, they don't listen to Me!" and He's just bawling His eyes out.
I'll tell ya, one time I saw this cover of a Wiccan book, and the picture was of who I'll assumed to be their goddess, who I used to worship, and she was on this tree...and to be honest, it looked remarkably like Jesus on the cross. The first time I saw it, I was furious and I wanted to burn it. Well, I saw it again the other day...and when I looked at it, I just wanted to cry. These people long for Him so much in their hearts that He works His way into their artwork...but they're so convinced that they're right and they won't listen long enough to let Him change their lives forever. It breaks my heart, because I remember when I was like them. If I could...if I could give up my salvation just so all Witches and Wiccans everywhere could know Jesus, I would. And don't say I don't mean that, because I do. Just knowing those people, and I guess in a way, my people...just knowing they would be experiencing the Love I know for all eternity would make Hell seem like Heaven to me. But I can't. Only they can decide if they really want Him or not. But how will they know the love of Jesus unless someone shows it to them? And how can I love them without wanting them to know Him? It's all this big, confusing yet wonderful circle.
Ok...I've written a book tonight...or if I haven't, I should. Anyway, I could sit here and type all night, but I need to memorize some Scripture. Later.
And here's the statement that changed my life: your sin, my sin, which is just missing the mark of who God made us to be...it hurts God. I read a verse in Jeremiah 13 last week of God speaking to the people of Israel saying "if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD's flock will be taken captive." God wanted to save them so badly, and He loved them so much that He wept bitterly when they were taken captive. Jesus Himself wept bitterly over His own people because they didn't recognize Who He was and listen to Him. And I think He does the same thing now when people sin. I think He just says to Himself, "They think they're so liberated, but they're not! And when I try to turn them away from the very think they're destroying themselves with, they don't listen to Me!" and He's just bawling His eyes out.
I'll tell ya, one time I saw this cover of a Wiccan book, and the picture was of who I'll assumed to be their goddess, who I used to worship, and she was on this tree...and to be honest, it looked remarkably like Jesus on the cross. The first time I saw it, I was furious and I wanted to burn it. Well, I saw it again the other day...and when I looked at it, I just wanted to cry. These people long for Him so much in their hearts that He works His way into their artwork...but they're so convinced that they're right and they won't listen long enough to let Him change their lives forever. It breaks my heart, because I remember when I was like them. If I could...if I could give up my salvation just so all Witches and Wiccans everywhere could know Jesus, I would. And don't say I don't mean that, because I do. Just knowing those people, and I guess in a way, my people...just knowing they would be experiencing the Love I know for all eternity would make Hell seem like Heaven to me. But I can't. Only they can decide if they really want Him or not. But how will they know the love of Jesus unless someone shows it to them? And how can I love them without wanting them to know Him? It's all this big, confusing yet wonderful circle.
Ok...I've written a book tonight...or if I haven't, I should. Anyway, I could sit here and type all night, but I need to memorize some Scripture. Later.
