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I believe the
ultimate expression of pride is any declaration that we might know who is and
who is not in the Kingdom of God.
Occasionally due
to our religious background, we are fond of thinking others don't belong to the
Kingdom as we do. We imagine our works, way of doing things, religious rituals
earn us a place in the kingdom and those who don't do it our way don't belong
to the kingdom.
All that is
expected of us is to believe. It’s not easy to tell by looking at who is
believing more than the other. I believe there are a lot of “secret service
believers.” We will get shocked that some people made it to heaven and others
didn’t. Let’s leave the decision on who is and who is not to God. Our work is
to believe.
When it comes to
matters of faith and belief, especially in reference to others, we are
clueless. I might see how someone is walking their journey and be tempted to
think; they are not as spiritual as I am. They don't read scripture, pray,
attend worship, go on a mission or evangelize as I do. So they don't deserve to
experience God's blessings and the kingdom as I deserve. The feeling might get
into our head that since we practically live within the worship place and have
facilitated more people getting to know God, then we are better than others.
All these are good, but when we start seeing that we are better than others
because we do them, then pride takes control. We are told to be careful when we
think we are standing because we may fall. This is a warning on pride. When you
think you have it all figured out, be careful. I have listened to a lot of kingdom-minded
stories and experiences from people who I may think are not spiritual enough.
This is not an excuse for not living out our faith boldly, but it's about the
attitude with which we live out this faith.
Some of
us want to prove to others that our faith or way of worship is better than
yours. It's never about that. It's about love. If your way of worship and
belief doesn't lead to more love, then it's all your doing. We are told that if I speak in the tongues of
men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a
clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but does not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and
give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain
nothing. Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it
is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love
never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there
are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass
away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness
comes, what is in part disappears. And now these
three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
As we know love is not only a public affair but
it's more blessed if kept in the context of humility. Not showing off how you
are the greatest lover of all. It's in the actions, and no one wants to hear
that your loving actions to them have become a public debate, or is doing
rounds on social media. Or that you have compiled a dossier of your loving deeds,
and thoughts to them. We for sure don’t know who is sharing the love of God or
who is loving better than the other. We can talk about their actions, but at
the end of the day, God looks at the heart.
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So when it comes
to deciding who belongs to the kingdom and who doesn't, I suggest we leave it
in the hands of God who sees beyond what we can see. Let's continue building
and practicing our faith and leave the rest to God. Let’s do our work which is
to believe in the one He sent.
If this resonates with you, seek
humility. Look for a small community of friends who you can be "Secret
Service Believers," with clarity on letting the decision on who is in and
who is not in the hands of God. Being accountable to a few and practicing with a few.
It’s about building a community of friends to share each other’s journey. You have to be deeply committed to each other
and desire to see each other grow in this journey. You have to create support,
encouragement and accountability platform for each other. The community has to
be a small as possible so that there is active engagement by all involved.
Find a community
around you and see if these conversations make sense to you.
Amen, we should always avoid self righteousness and being judgemental. A powerful message. Thank you.
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