Osceola Grace

I hate it when I find out I am wrong.  Don’t you?  In fact, one of the hardest things for us to do is to be adamant about something that we eventually find out is wrong and then admit it!  I had an argument with someone about the timing of some events at church – events that really were not that important and events that had happened almost 15 years ago.  I was solidly right and staunchly standing my ground and the other person just said – “No, you are not right.  I remember it happening in this year and at this time.”  And so thus it became a contest of who remembered accurately.  Well, soon after that I was looking back over some old notes and calendars for something else and came across the event we had argued about.  I WAS WRONG – and even WORSE – the other person was exactly right on the timing.  I hated to do it but I copied the notes off and shared them with my friend and admitted my mistake.  That is hard.  

What is even more difficult is when we read something or learn something that rocks us so deeply that it challenges a deep seated core belief or value that we have lived by assuming it to be right.  And maybe it is not WRONG… but maybe it needs balanced, adjusted or tweaked.  Then again, maybe it is WRONG and then comes the decision.  Will I work to changing my CORE BELIEFS or VALUES to reflect truth or will I continue on this path?

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Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 are pretty powerful when it comes to how He is asking us to respond.  There is a challenge laid that rocked the Jewish world to its’ CORE BELIEFS.  Everything that the Pharisees and teachers of the law had been stressing as the most important were the very things that Jesus was challenging!  He started with the fact that every last part of the Word of God (the Bible) would be completely fulfilled and thus established its authenticity and reliability.  From there, he went on to question what they were taught.

Jesus “You have heard that it has been said…”  Interpretation: “Your teachers of the law tell you this is the standard of behavior”

Jesus: “But I tell you…”  Interpretation:  “Behavior is not enough…I want your heart to change”

"Do not murder" was the law – do not be angry and hold onto that anger and let it develop into bitterness and rage and eat at your core is the principle that is behind the intent of the law.  It is not enough to “not” murder.  What is enough is that you do not let your heart ever get to the place where you would ever consider it as an option.  “Not a problem” you say?  “I could never do that” you think? Read on...

The very next verse Jesus says that the very words you use to address or describe people are a reflection of your heart.  Instead of calling someone a derogatory term like “Empty Headed” or any such phrase or word that portrays contempt … Jesus said He did not want us to even call someone a fool.   The wrap up for Him in this passage was to say – if you have a problem with another brother – drop all that is important and deal with it…Work out your anger and conflicts.  Ephesians 4:25 to 5:4 further explains the behavior of those who claim to follow Jesus.  Proverbs 26:18,19 says that a person should be direful to trust someone who is hurtful with words and then covers by saying “just kidding”.  

Are your thoughts and words hurtful either directly to someone or behind their back?  Are you a name caller?  Matthew 5:21,22 warns the angry and malicious name caller that he is in danger of the fires of hell.  You may be wrong – don’t be stubborn too!  If you are wrong – what can you do to begin changing at the CORE of your beliefs?