March 23, 2015

Mordecai or Haman; there can be a fine line.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Encouraging Words and Personal Challenge

Wow! Just wow! God's timing is so impeccable. I have just finished the book of Esther (read the LXX version with much more in it) and the story of Mordecai, Haman, and Esther is ever so present in my mind and heart. And what should transpire over the weekend but a Haman-Mordecai moment. Then to top it all off, my random selection of this verse of the day brings me to this passage...a reminder that there are Haman's in our lives, our churches, and our places of work. My first thought, before I read this passage was to exercise justifiable retribution. But that would fall into the category of "youthful lusts", getting even, settling the score, or whatever else you want to call it. Would this not also make me a Haman in someone else's life? Now I am convicted to deal with this event differently. Correction is still needed, for letting it slip would continue to encourage the wrong behavior. The correction must come from a pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Why? So that I do not become a Haman in my response. Why? So that hopefully by the grace of God, my brother might be granted repentance, the ability to know the truth, and come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil. Why? So that the Body of Christ is healed and edified. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!