Remember when I told you to follow earthly men who tell you things different from what I told you?
Remember when I told Peter to pick up that sword and defend me in the Garden at Gethsemane?
Remember when I told you to storm the court at my trial?
Why don’t you remember that?
I never told you to justify actions other than what I told you to do. Let me remind you of the important things I want you to follow.
“Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22 NIV
Who could be influencing you to do things against your neighbor?
Remember who was trying to influence me after I was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. I was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where I was tempted by Satan. His evil spirit was cast out of heaven during the war in heaven where he can never return. He is still here, tempting you to do things I never told you to do.
If you get confused about what is the truth, who you ought to be listening to, or who you should follow, remember everything I told you.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:11-18 NIV
Now don’t get carried away. I am the Good Shepherd, not you. You are not being called to die for others. You are not being called to fight. You are not being called to storm any building. You are not being called by me to any earthly cause. If you feel you are being called on for any earthly cause, remember who tempted me to do outrageous things for earthly causes in my time. His tricks do not change.
Try again to follow what I told you to do, if you want to follow in my footsteps. You call it The Golden Rule, remember?
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NIV
Do you see the difference between what I taught you to do and what you are choosing to do now? These days are not that different from the days I walked among you.
If you are a true Christian, born-again, fundamental, liberal or otherwise, and are worth your salt in an honest effort to practice what I preached, then now is the time to follow my words, not the words of any other preacher or any kind of world leader who is inciting you to do the opposite of what I have taught you.
Be honest. I never incited you to riot. Stop following the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Do not forget the second part of my instructions, which is forgiveness. If you have followed the misguided sheep right off the cliff of ego, greed, and vain glory, you must first forgive yourselves for trading me for an unrighteous leader.
Come back to the flock of love and forgiveness for yourself and your neighbor, who I told you to love as yourself. I am starting your healing with yourself, because it is no wonder that you cannot love your neighbor if you do not love yourself.
Peace, kindness, love and joy are tell-tale signs that you are on the right track. It may be so long ago that you loved your neighbor as yourself. Do not forget that I have been watching you. Not one thing you do is hidden. So begin by forgiving yourself, then the rest will fall into line.
God Bless Everyone Everywhere