The Sure Word for Today's quotation for the week:
God Has Forgiven Me.
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Jesus and Conflict — Part 1.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2: 3-4 (KJV).
The ministry and personal life of Jesus were never void of conflicts. In fact, almost every conflict Jesus experienced was breaking news. As a Christian that is born again, I keep wondering who told you and convinced you that whenever you experience hardships, challenges, problems, and conflicts is a sign that you have sinned against God and must seek God's forgiveness. You have embroidered your mind with sin consciousness, and I bet it does not allow you to worship the Lord with the freedom bought by the blood of Jesus.
Jewish leaders have contact with Jesus, and conflict ensues concerning the authority of Jesus. Jesus was like a rebel against the Jewish leaders. He was doing things out of the norm. They believe he did not respect their religious ordinances. They have a standard, they understood things in a certain way, so they do things in a certain way that is patterned and structured. Jesus came and used the same teaching they have been teaching for generations and created life out of the staleness of their vocation. It was a job to them, but it was the work and ministry of Jesus. It was his purpose.
The cleansing of the leper leads into Jesus' inaugural encounter with the Jewish authorities in this cycle of more conflict stories. Conflict plays a large part in the gospel narratives of the ministry of Jesus. In the gospel, Jesus' life has been described as intense and with mounting conflict, which arises in his death upon the cross. Jesus was sent to the earth to confront an existing conflict, so he was right in conflict head-on. He understood what was in front of him. Jesus came with peace, the peace that surpasses understanding. He refused to back down. Jesus was in constant conflict throughout his life and ministry. He refused to shy away from confronting those who needed to be corrected in their perspective and behaviour.
May the peace of God that surpasses your understanding continue to guide your heart and mind as God leads you to your breakthrough. Amen!
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All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the HOLY BIBLE unless otherwise indicated.
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