Audio
Protect me from your successors
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. Whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive the reward of a righteous man (Matthew 10:40-41 Butcher Translation).
The community of faith that I preside over (that is a privilege for me) and myself have undergone extensive changes in the belief and practice of this belief over the past two decades. Our church was bound by legalism and acceptance of the gospel of grace was urgent. I realized that not all could accept these changes and that some would be very angry about them.
Unexpected, however, was the level of hatred directed against me personally. People who describe themselves as Christians haven't shown much Christianity. Some actually wrote to me that they would pray for my immediate death. Others told me they would like to participate in my execution. It gave me a deeper understanding of when Jesus said that anyone who wants to kill you will think they are doing God a service6,2).
I tried everything so that this barrage of hate would not grab me, but of course he did. Inescapably. Words hurt, especially when they come from former friends and colleagues.
Over the years, the persistent angry words and hate mail have not hit me as deeply as the first. It's not that I've become tougher, thick-skinned, or indifferent to such personal attacks, but I can see these people torturing their inferiority, worries, and guilt. These are effects of legalism on us. The strict observance of the law acts as a safety blanket, one inadequate though, rooted in anxiety.
As we face the true security of the gospel of grace, some joyfully throw away this old blanket, but others desperately cling to it and wrap themselves even more tightly in it. They see anyone who wants to take them away as an enemy. That is why the Pharisees and other religious leaders of the time of Jesus saw him as a threat to their safety and wanted to kill him in their despair.
Jesus did not hate the Pharisees, he loved them and wanted to help them because he realized that they were their own worst enemies. Today it is the same, except that hatred and threats come from alleged followers of Jesus.
The Bible tells us, "There is no fear in love." On the contrary, "perfect love casts out fear" (1. John 4,18). It does not say that perfect fear drives love out. When I recall all of this, the personal attacks no longer plague me so violently. I can love those who hate me because Jesus loves them, even if they are not fully aware of the dynamics of His love. It helps me to take everything a little more relaxed.
Prayer
Merciful Father, we ask your mercy for those who are still wrestling with their feelings of love for others. Humble, we implore you to bless her, Father, with the gift of repentance and renewal that you have given us. In Jesus' name, we ask that, Amen
by Joseph Tkach
