Reconcilers are people who, without a hint of condemnation, rescue men and women, boys and girls who are being tormented and corrupted by the flesh, and who are covering up and hiding. Reconcilers look past the visible to the heart of the matter. They trust that God is correct about His people and the difference He has made for them through the cross and resurrection, and that totally influences what they see. They’re like Jesus to people. Wouldn’t it be great to have a whole church full them? That’s what Jude envisioned.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 20-25)
(Excerpted from my book, God's Astounding Opinion of You, chapter 14: Stripping Mummies: Finding Freedom and Life Outside the Tomb)
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i love being able to see everyone (believers or not) for their heart. i get questioned a lot and i'm often misunderstood (that i have an ulterior motive or whatever) but in reality, i know that jesus died for them just as much as he died for me. i don't mind being misunderstood, or questioned, or "stepped on" (door mat!) because i know that grace is best understood when its experienced, and i know my efforts to show grace can only go so much, but christ really does all the work through us anyway.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Catherine. And thank you.
ReplyDeleteI must CONFESS that I still haven't gotten the book yet......:| but I will.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing from your book.
ReplyDeleteMari, in case you've missed this info., my book is substantially the same as Better Off Than You Think. It has a new (excellent) publisher and I have added 15,000 words that are mostly in one chapter: Stripping Mummies: Finding freedom And Life Outside the Tomb. I would be happy to email the chapter to you, though it is unedited. Just ask.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ralph! Outstanding words to live by/in!
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLoved it the first time I read it, love it still. You are a reconciler, for sure.
ReplyDeleteJackie--thank you!
ReplyDeleteChris--I'm delighted you like it.
Vicky--I laughed after reading your note. Oddly, I hadn't thought of myself in that way. Duh!
God is good!
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