Antithesis

 

The fact that a man/woman loyal to the One True God is perishing, suffering, lacking, isn’t a sign that they are no better off than God’s enemies. Abundance, health, even life, are not
necessarily a sign of God’s favour. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

I know people seldomly understand. They judge with eyes of flesh and hearts filled with darkness and they feel justified to conclude my God is impotent and useless because I look beaten. They think they have it good in life because of their daily positive affirmations, because they cleanse their karma and they meditate often and I, with my narrow view and antiquated rules and ideas am just missing the point. They are evolved while I am primitive. They are enlightened while I am still hanging on to superstitious nonsense. They are positive while I am negative. They are constantly growing while I am stuck. It sure looks that way. But I am not concerned with what it looks like. My Redeemer looked like an impostor to the people He came to save. They took The Lord of Life and killed Him. If people were blind when it came to Him, do you think it’s abnormal that people are just as blind when it comes to His followers?

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also.” (John 15:18-23)

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1Corinthians 4:1-4)

I have never been silent about The Truth. To the best of my ability, I have always told it to anyone I could. Sometimes without wisdom, sometimes without tact, sometimes without compassion, sometimes in anger, but that doesn’t make The Truth less truthful. It just makes me a very imperfect servant in need of more grace than anyone else alive.

I will probably continue to look very unsuccessful until The Lord takes me home. I will probably continue to annoy some with my stubbornness and be the subject of gossip and psychoanalysis of every unfortunate soul that needs a box to put me in. But for my part, by the grace of God, I will continue to point you to Him, who can and will save your soul if you trust in Him.

"The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands.

For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.

But you, draw near, sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the loose woman.

Whom are you mocking? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit, you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are your lot; to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have brought a grain offering.

 Shall I relent for these things? On a high and lofty mountain, you have set your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifice.

Behind the door and the doorpost, you have set up your memorial; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a covenant for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness.

You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol.

You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, “It is hopeless”; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint.

Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart?

Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?

I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you.

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!  The wind will carry them all off, a breath will take them away.

But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.

And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way.”

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.

Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain, I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.

But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.

There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah chapter 57)

 by Cristina Pop