I want to open this post with prayer.
Father, I thank you that you do all things well. There is nothing incomplete or lacking in Your ways towards us. Your compassion knows no bounds. You are determined to see Your best for us; being lived out upon the earth. Jesus, Your example in Word and in deed; IS our example. I pray that this would penetrate the hearts and minds of Your people. Bringing repentance and wholeness to their lives. You gave us the ability to feel; but our enemy has tried to use it against us. We know that the evil one will use anything that is possible; for him to use against us. But, Your truth is greater! You, living on the inside of us; is greater than the things we face. I bless Your people today. Give them ears to hear, and hearts of understanding. I love You God! Thank You, and may Your will be done in the earth; in Jesus name, amen!
Let’s get started!
“First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they’ll mock, “So what’s happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything’s going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing’s changed.”
2 Peter 3:3-4 The Message
Where did Jesus talk about our feelings; and how important it was to express them?
Did He want us to speak our feelings (which are temporary) into existence? Making them become reality in our lives? Or … Did He want us to focus on the things not seen; those that were eternal? Those things that were ever true, and ever real.
Or even this; (that I also believe to be in agreement with His Word) ….this: Jesus lives in a more practical, and addresses things in a more real way.
I am not rejecting our ability to feel; but rather pointing out our error of living by feelings.
Our feelings can and do in many cases; lie to us. Do we really want to live our lives based on things so fickle, and so unreliable; as feelings?
Is that the best The Gospel can do?
Teaching us to only understand; thereby having or developing an emotion such as empathy and sympathy? Where is the change in that? Doesn’t that type of thinking allow everyone to remain unchanged? Just more aware of everyone’s brokenness and pain? Bringing more revelation of the inner torment and lies we allow ourselves to swallow and wallow in?
Did Jesus command us; or leave us an example of living by feelings? I think not!
He DIDN’T say this…but, it bears much witness with me:
“Our feelings will pass away; but My words will never pass away.”
He DID SAY “Heaven and earth will pass away” (see Matthew 24:35) … I guess that would include our feelings also. So, not too much of a stretch; I guess.
Jesus had great compassion for those that surrounded Him. He knew their deepest, innermost feelings. But, instead of simply listening to their pain, or responding to them with sharing His own feelings; He went beyond it!
When Jesus was faced with feelings; He went “in practicum”; reaching into the heart of the matter:
Speaking truth (which makes us free); and taking practical and effective action!
Yes, Jesus experienced things on this earth that we can only imagine. We see in many passages of scripture how Jesus was feeling; or what emotion He was experiencing at that particular time. However, the shortest verse in the Bible is this:
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 Amplified Classic Edition
IF it was ALL about “feelings” (and how we we are supposed to guide our lives by them) don’t you think there would have been a greater explanation (of feelings); in these pivotal Biblical accounts?
I think it is very appropriate that “Jesus wept.” is the shortest Bible verse.
Do we want a “gospel” that understands, or tries to understand every pain, feeling, or emotion?
Or a Gospel, that fixes and actually transforms us; in spite of them?
Do we allow The Gospel Truth to bring us into being a “new creation” with “all things becoming new”? (See 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Or do we relegate ourselves to being a tragic, unfixable victim, from which we can never truly escape; or completely understand?
Which Gospel did Jesus promulgate (make known)?
For which Gospel did Jesus suffer, die, and rise again?
Which “gospel” will we spread, taking the fierce persecution; and giving our lives for? Will we do so even at the threat of death?
Be aware…. only The True Gospel will be able to stand; under the barrage of persecution, and the gnashing of teeth. Bringing with It, wholeness and internal peace; in a world that knows only brokenness and turmoil.
The choice is ours. We can continue to live our lives guided by feelings. We can even try to build a “gospel” that is guided by them.
But, we do so at great cost; with much pain and error…
So let’s choose wisely The True Gospel; one that is life and Light giving! And REJECT the one that leaves us hurting, alone; and ONLY “feeling” around in the dark!
October 2nd, 2017 by Eric