Open Heaven 16 July 2024: Don’t Kill a Wounded Soldier
MEMORISE: Galatians 6:1
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
READ: John 8:1-11 (KJV)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Read Yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional Here
It is quite terrible that some people judge individuals who have made mistakes just so they can feel better about themselves. Their goal is to boost their self-esteem rather than admonish the people who made the mistake or bring them to Christ. The people who attempted to stone the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11 were just like this. They did not expect that Jesus would put the searchlight of righteousness on them; He humiliated them as they planned to humiliate her.
When we correct someone just to show how righteous we are, we are attacking their self-esteem, adding to the weight of guilt they already bear, and making it more difficult for them to come to Christ. God turns against people who condemn others to prove that they are righteous. When Jesus sees a fallen soldier in His army, He wants to help the fellow up. If He discovers that other soldiers are throwing stones at the fellow to kill him or her completely, He turns against those soldiers to defend the one who is wounded.
It is unfortunate that many Christians use their superiority complex to hand their own brothers and sisters over to the devil. For example, who is a young Christian girl supposed to turn to if she becomes pregnant out of wedlock? Fellow believers or unbelievers? In most cases, her church members might call her a prostitute and make her feel unwanted, while unbelievers may show her care and understanding. When soldiers are wounded, they need people to help them dress their wounds so they can stand up again. If the people they get help from are from the enemy’s camp, they may never return to their own camp again. This is why many backsliders keep going deeper into sin. They think that they will no longer find forgiveness and acceptance in the church, so they backslide completely. The Holy Spirit is still drawing them toward the church, but they are reluctant to go back out of the fear of being condemned by the people who should show love to them the most.
Beloved, if a fellow believer falls, don’t condemn the person. Don’t turn such a person into an object of gossip, rather, get other Christians together to pray and follow up on the fellow until he or she comes back to God. This was the testimony about Job in Job 4:3-4.
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
Show love to any believer you know that may require encouragement by calling or sending a message to say you will always be there for him or her.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 9-11
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Open Heaven 16 July 2024
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