Patient Grace

Last week we considered practical and social grace and the struggles culture and tradition might bring to our Christian walk. It has brought many difficulties to mine. I will admit that at times my response is one of frustration at the lack of knowledge found in the Churches in my country of origin. Lack of knowledge affects wisdom applied to life resulting in un-Biblical behaviors – and unchanged cultural and traditional patterns of accepted responses. When this has been my experience, I have been tempted to get frustrated. And, at other times I simply do not know how to respond to the errors I have observed.

When not knowing what to say and do, I keep quiet – quietness accompanied by serenity of spirit, and not as a passive statement. Those in the community misunderstood my behaviors, and interpreted my quietness in negative ways. Soon I realized that to try to explain my conduct would only escalate their lack of understanding and acceptance.

I may have responded with Biblical wisdom; but the timing was all wrong.

I know I do not like to be misunderstood, and neither do others like their way of doing things to be misunderstood either. What about you? Are you so proud of your spiritual growth that your experiences become the measuring stick for all others? And, on your stick no place has been made for error, for growth or for sanctification.

Have you ever considered the impact of your behaviors on those in your cultural traditional group who are new believers? Those who have not been privileged to learn from solid Biblical teachers and experience the blessing of strong disciplers. It makes a difference doesn’t it?

Has your quietness been understood by your church community as your quiet submission before the Lord where you wait on Him to teach His people? Do they know you trust Him to sanctify them according to His intentions? Do they know they are welcome to discuss the most difficult of personal behaviors they may have with you? Or will you judge them? We need even more patience with those from our culture who simply do not know right from wrong – in the context of Biblical living. Will you judge the expressions they may still use established by cultural observances, or will you celebrate the blessing of their seeking Him – seeking after Him?

• He told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt (Luke 18:9).

• There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth (Proverbs 30:12).

• You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15).

God knows your heart; He knows mine.

#patience #humility