One of the most unforgivable sins in jr. high was walking on the gym floor
in your street shoes. They left black marks that the janitor would have a hard
time removing. More than once a juvenile perpetrator was apprehended and given
a slip to take to the principal’s office, leaving a black mark on their record,
no pun intended. But in a strange turn of events, if a teacher, or worse a
parent walked across the same floor in street shoes, nothing happened. No
warning, no chastisement no invite to a higher authority was involved. An
interesting double standard, that when the question was asked was courteously
glossed over and on to the next question. Hopefully the civic minded people at
Rebook and Nike have changed all that due to the popularity of their
shoes...
As spring is here, and Memorial Day around the corner, the official first
day of summer, car shows are springing up everywhere, again no pun intended.
And a popular venue over the past few years is using golf courses, the very
green areas where no golf carts are allowed unless under supervision, but on
these special days you may drive your classic or collectible on them. I must
admit there is something special seeing the cars on the grass, somehow speaks of
summer days, and the fresh green grass adds something to the display, but just
try that on any other day of the year. Do not pass go, go directly to jail.
Where Barney Fife will let you know that the first rule there is obey all
rules. The second is no writing on the walls, it is hard to get the ink off.
And as a song once told us “signs, signs, everywhere a sign, do this, don’t do
that, can’t you read the signs?” So it seems there are rules within rules,
special exceptions for exceptional people, and we learn that not only can hard
wood floors be cleaned off and buffed, but grass has a surprising resiliancy
when driven on by a collector car. Or motorcycle. It grows back, some faster
than others, ready for the next event. Golf courses over the years have somehow
survived the onslaught of golf carts not only driven on cart paths, maybe the
delicate balance of man and machine is not as delicate as we think.
But signs are everywhere, each with a law or rule to guide us. Or confuse
us, or make us miserable. Or worse yet a scofflaw, or a sinner. With each new
law we increase the opportunities to break one, and be a law breaker. And some
are evident, some unknown, and many impossible to remember. A lady I once knew
with OSHA told me “it is impossible for me to know each law, but I can guarantee
I can walk into any business and find one broken.” Giving credence to the 8
most dangerous words in the English language, “I’m from the government and here
to help.” Or as Pogo once told us, in cartoon form so we could get, “we have
met the enemy and it is us.” So look out when on the golf course, as some drive
balls, while others drive carts. And the only ones leaving black marks on gym
floors are law enforcement, can you hear me Deputy Fife?
“Nip it, nip it in the bud!” And so many problems can be avoided if we
obey the rules, just hoping the opposition is as courteous and abiding. Today
and for all of history it has been the first reaction of man to get revenge, to
settle the score. To get even, or eliminate your enemies. When the Godfather,
Michael Corleone was accused of wanting to kill everyone, he admitted “only my
enemies.” Sadly we as individuals and as the church do the same. We want to
help usher in the rapture by wiping out our enemies, but forget we once stood
opposed to God ourselves. And that Jesus loved us while we were yet sinners.
And if the rapture had come 5 years, 10 years, 50 years ago, we would be bound
for hell. Fortunately God is a loving and forgiving God, also patient. Just
don’t get caught in street shoes after service in the gym. As all lessons of
love are tossed aside, and you are a perpetrator. And labeled for life within a
congregation. Who knew enough not to walk on said floor, who hide their sins
better. But one mystery of he law, overlooked by those caught up in grace, is
the law points out our sin, and our need for a savior. It also helps us from
doing things that can be dangerous to us and our walk with the Lord. And the
best examples are found within the churches today.
When Peter and John were released from jail, they went back to report what
had happened to the church. And broke out in prayer, “oh sovereign God,”
recognizing who he is. They didn’t blame him for their so called bad luck, or
organize a militia to respond in revenge. They turned to God, and grew closer
to him in the situation. They realized he was in control of everything, and
turned to him. They did what Christians are supposed to do under pressure, go
to the word and seek the spirit to guide them. Just like we do today? Just
like we are taught to do in church, right? A few years back during a time of
prayer, I walked up on stage as the spirit told me and prayed with a man. Later
I was apprehended, and questioned, as was the man I prayed with. We had done
just as we said, prayed, just like the others on stage, just I wasn’t allowed.
They kept pressuring me to repent, until I asked them, “should I obey your rules
or be guided by the holy spirit? Is it possible you are in sin as you accuse me
now?” Which confused them, you don’t question church authority, and I had. And
so I offered to pray with him, something he had neglected to do, and left him
thinking about what had taken place. I am sure the topic came up in the next
meeting, and steps taken to prevent me from going up on stage to pray. And they
say they trust God? I had faced opposition, I just never thought it would come
from within the church.
When people oppose the will of God, or try to thwart the spirit in any way,
God has a miraculous way of showing his love and teaching us all. It is called
grace, and I could have gotten mad, but didn’t. I turned and prayed for that
man, who was caught up in church laws. At least a good thing was I didn’t write
on the walls, as we know they can be hard to clean. We had both acted in
ignorance, me not knowing it was forbidden by only the chosen few to go on
stage, and by this pastor who was going to deny the holy spirit to operate. He
had never been confronted like that, and the truth was new to him. As
individuals, we need to follow the spirit and see the love of Christ in
operation. The man I prayed for was new in town, had asked to play with the
worship team that night, and knew few people. By my following the urging of the
spirit we became friends, and he was shown love. He was welcomed, despite the
rules. The history of he cross brings people together, and doesn’t separate man
from salvation. It brings the two together, in Christ. So how do you know when
you are in the spirit? I can tell when I am not.....
So make your first and only rule love. Love of Christ, then love of self,
so you can love others, for no man hated himself and loved God. Or man made in
his image. Can we just trust God in these situations, to seek him first and
watch as all things are added unto us? By him! As we watch as all things work
together, and as he takes a bad situation and turns it to good? Billy Jack once
said “when the police break the law there is no law.” Attention church, us, “if
we don’t show the love of Jesus are we breaking the law? Is there no law
left?” Thankfully we have grace, show some today. Follow what the spirit shows
you to do. Peter and John used the things of God, and went against public
opinion. They sought the Lord rather than revenge via a group, the church. The
principal of revenge is powerful, aren’t you glad God operates not by power, not
by might, but by his spirit? Or didn’t you know that?
Can you just imagine if we did? Now that would be a witness of the Lord in
real life. Just don’t show it while walking on the gym floor. Sin leaves a
black mark, only in Jesus will it be removed. Don’t let “I’m from the church
and I’m here to help” strike terror in the hearts of man. Next time someone
asks “what would Jesus do?” is your answer “you have to ask?” Well, do
you?
Now about Mr. Schwump....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com