Oh So Spiritual One

The spiritual ones guided by the Holy Spirit are called to a ministry of restoration. So, how spiritual are you?

When we get in the dirt with the ones who hurt, it might be messy and even a little misunderstood by others, but we never know when our act of mercy poured out over someone’s mess might lead to something miraculous and marvelous in their lives.

How are you doing, spiritual one, in your ministry of restoration? Or your ministry of reconciliation? How is your spirit of gentleness? How longsuffering are you with those who are in the process of restoration?

All believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ.  We are all called to carry out the ministry of reconciliation and restoration as we follow Christ.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ that is, [grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior), he is a new creature (reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit); the old things (the previous moral and spiritual condition) have passed away. Behold, new things have come (because spiritual awakening brings a new life). But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ making us acceptable to Him) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation so that by our example we might bring others to Him, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them (but canceling them). And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation (that is, restoration to favor with God). So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we (as Christ’s representatives) plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to (judicially) be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God (that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness).

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Oh So Spiritual Question #1

Am I an ambassador or an accuser?

Jesus demonstrated the ministry of reconciliation. Two accounts are found in the book of John.

In John 4, Jesus encounters the woman at the well. After uncovering the fact that she had five previous husbands and was now living with a man, this Samaritan woman immediately recognizes Jesus as a prophet. Jesus goes beyond speaking prophetically to this woman who is not just physically thirsty, but spiritually in need, by offering Himself, The Way, The Truth and the Life to her. Immediately, with a living well overflowing from her new heart, she goes back to her town testifying of her experience with Christ, The Messiah.

Oh So Spiritual Question #2

Does my heart bucket overflow with words of truth and life or does my bucket need refilling too?

In John 8, the oh so spiritual scribes and Pharisees lovingly bring the woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. We can already see how helpful and loving they are by their involvement with this type of public street ministry. How sacrificial, selfless and servant-spirited of them. They even were so kind as to make sure she was able to sit right in the center of the crowd. This was during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, and so many visitors were still in Jerusalem to observe this random act of kindness. No, the Pharisees had the spirit in line with their name of rendering only what is “fair you see” and no, no, no mercy. They felt called to fulfill that glorious ministry of legalism, judging and stoning. On this day, the scribes and Pharisees were on a mission to recruit Jesus to help them carry out the letter of the law. Instead, Jesus, who fulfilled the law, demonstrates the highest law of love and mercy. And, yes, He did tell this broken and humiliated woman to go on her way and sin no more. Jesus released mercy, truth, and the encouragement to get on the road that leads to a new way of life.

Oh So Spiritual Question #3

Am I a rock thrower or am I helping rebuild lives on the Rock of Christ?

There is more to glean from this account in John 8, including the obvious fact that the woman involved was not the only one caught in the act of adultery. Where was the man? So, the scribes and Pharisees demonstrate they are not only male chauvinists, but have no clue about Jesus’ spirit regarding mercy and restoration. Rather, they are only interested in laws and rules and what they deem as “fair you see.” As Jesus began writing in the dirt, apparently revealing what was “fair” on their behalf, one by one they began to let go of their tightly held rocks of condemnation.

We are not called to be rock throwers. Instead, we are called to be builders on the ROCK of Christ Jesus — the Truth and the Chief Cornerstone.

…for the letter (of the law) kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

How many of us need to drop some of our unmerciful stones?

If we are going to throw stones, we need to follow King David and hurl them toward the giant accuser of all of us saved by grace brothers and sisters. I can’t recall any verses calling us to the judgment ministry?

Yes, there is a time for judgment and justice and laws and consequences, and those who are appointed as governmental judges with wisdom and authority for order and peace, but that’s another topic. Those appointed as judges will be held accountable ultimately by the highest judge of all. Back to reconciliation and restoration and the ministry we are ALL called to.

Jesus is calling, softly and tenderly, as He called us to Himself — not to the ministry of judgment, but to the ministry of reconciliation and restoration.

Often, even us oh so spiritual ones, are not so active in the ministry of reconciliation and restoration. When it comes to our own past failures and sins, and even our present ones, we seem to have amnesia or short term memory loss.  

A few other thought provoking questions to ponder?

• Am I following Jesus’ footsteps by offering truth, mercy, and words of life, or at least a prayer?
• Have I fallen into the prideful place of promoting myself as a judge?
• Am I stooping down in the dirt with someone who is broken, hurting, and needing forgiveness and redemption like I have received?
• Can I go low to help take another person higher?
• When I see a person who is caught in sin, addiction, or any kind of bondage, do I stand with fist-clenched hands full of stones ready to beat them to death through hurling accusations of judgment over them?
• Are rivers of living water flowing from my heart and tongue to offer someone who has been caught in the trap of sin the wellspring of truth, forgiveness, and the mercy of Jesus?
• Am I ready to help fill the empty water bucket, which may be drained dry from sin, past failures, poor choices, or the victim-inducing lies and tactics of Satan?
• Am I a part of at least praying for or supporting ministries that restore people to wholeness and the opportunity to begin a new, productive and God-honoring life?

Even when some do not desire reconciliation and restoration, or do not recognize their need for the forgiveness, redemption, and restoration Jesus offers them, compassionate prayer is always in order.

For all the hurting, wounded, and broken who are starving for lack of truth, forgiveness, mercy, redemption, and healing, we who profess to be the so called spiritual believers need to be ready to offer them words of life. We further need to be willing to lead them along the pathway of new life in Christ. Instead of throwing stones, we should be living stones helping those who desire restoration to rebuild their lives on The Rock of Christ. This ministry of restoration should always be carried out in a spirit of gentleness, love, and peace. Let’s be reminded, but for the grace of God, where would any of us be?

Prayer:

Lord, remind me today to recall and be thankful for all the amazing love, mercy and forgiveness You so lavished upon me. Thank You Lord. Help me, Lord, to be used in the ministry of redemption, reconciliation and restoration by the power of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Amen.

Scripture References:

2 Corinthians 3:6; Romans 8:1; John 3:16-17; 4:1-30; John 8:1-11; John 14:6; John 10:10; Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 7:1-5, 12; James 2:13