Thread by @earthworkrr

Illumination:

People who knew me when I was growing up knew I was a stickler to standards and principles.

In short, I didn’t take nonsense so when I saw people doing anyhow, I gave them a mouth full.

I didn’t know how to hide my displeasure... pathetic!

Well, I actually lacked empathy and I was quick to make judgment and take sides.

The long term effect? People were careful around me and that included my wife.

I was a principled man in the office but a tyrant at home.

Beloved, I was a German/Spartan Pharisee.

@Lekksbaba

When I came across John 8, I saw something that made me reconsider my life and how I dealt with people.

A woman was brought to Jesus... caught in the act of adultery. Let’s not discuss about the man she was “caught” with or how the men that brought her, found her in the act.

Let’s work with the story. She was caught in the “act” and according to the law of Moses, she was to be stoned hence the gathering of men; old and young with stones.

Jesus, knowing this was a test, also knew the woman was caught and was being setup.

What did Jesus do?

He started writing on the floor, perhaps, writing about me. The hypocrite who saw everyone’s sin and neglected his own.

Wielding a heavy stone of my strong words in self righteousness.

Perhaps He wrote of my secret sins behind the suit and smile.

Who knows...

And then, seeing that I was no better, I dropped the stones after the older ones and walked away but as I left, I heard Jesus say •Where are your accusers? The hypocrites? The zealously foolish? Condemners?•

“Gone? Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more”.

He spoke to her but it resonated within me.

I, a hypocrite should go and sin no more. Since then, I have cast my eyes on Jesus because He’s my light.

I have learnt how to counsel people in love and I have seen far more results than I can ever imagine.

We’re called into the ministry of reconciliation and that means bringing the lost back to Christ.

It must be done in Love, empathy and Compassion. Always!

I recall a teenager in my former church who got pregnant. Everyone lambasted her... Pastor and members alike.

I understand their pain and disappointment. She was a fantastic young girl who craved more of God.

She was the first to speak in tongues in my Believer’s class filled with teenagers.

She kept hiding from me until I found out. I asked the Holy Spirit how to handle it.

He said “When you see her, you’ll know”. Yes, I did know.

I opened my arms wide and hugged her and said “I love you and nothing will change that” and then she cried.

I still counseled her but with this approach, she listened and was edified.

The Gospel of Jesus is Love and Love is Light and with this light, we are constantly illumined if and only when we do things like Jesus did.

The @earthworkrr will be with the GKFDiplomats on Saturday to speak more on this.

Gracious words will be spoken.

Shine!