Is your attention easily drawn into the downfall of others? If a minister is drawn into adultery or money laundering, a common reaction is usually shock followed by judgment. How apt is one to also draw swords of condemnation on the characters in the Bible.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. (Rom. 8:1)
People worthy to be penned into the Holy Scriptures are often put onto pedestals. However, they are pulled quickly down when perfection falls short of God’s glory. We must be careful, for pointing fingers block our view of Christ Jesus. The sole focus of Scripture is to see our Savior. Sinful people are not the purpose for reading the Bible.
Take Peter for example; he impulsively sliced off the ear of a servant to the high priest (Jn. 18:10). A natural reaction when threatened by an attacker wouldn’t you agree? Maybe it’s time to look at our own tightly held swords which interfere with the Word of God.
Without warning, we may begin warding off a warrior in our own strength. Perhaps when diagnosed with an illness, the search for medication, home remedies or diet trumps spending time in Scripture. Whatever the trial of faith presents, it usually leads us to swim in the sea of information. However, drowning in foolish wisdom leads us to look up. It is when these flapping arms of ours finally give up the struggle we are ready to receive divine help.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Ps. 91:14)
Turning to the Word, we find Jesus raising us above the sharks racing to devour our souls. May we learn to put our own weapons down and pick up the sword of the Spirit. Jesus should not be our last resource, but our first love. He is the two-edged sword who fights our battles while surrendering our sin to His grace. Here is victory and freedom from every foe we face.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder, of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17)
Whatever war is raging against us, Jesus is our promise and peace. We, like the minister who fell into promiscuity or Peter who peeled off an ear, are being conformed into the image of God. May we remember, it is by the mercy and grace of God we are saved. Please join me in praising Jesus for being our true sword of correction.
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teaches him out of thy law, That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither forsake his inheritance. (Ps. 94:12-14)