Page 465 … given over by God
“The phrase ‘God gave them over’ means that when we insist on shaking our fists at God, He finally lets us have the perversion we demand. And that is a judgment in itself.”
You know Lucy, to a degree, I agree with this sentiment – just like when we shake our fists in selfish arrogance, and thereby receive the perversion of the inability to enter Jesus’ Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3-4) … or when we shake our fists in religious piousness, and thereby receive the perversion of being damned by our own callousness (Matthew 7:1-5) … or when we shake our fists in immoral hypocrisy, and thereby receive the perversion of the “wrath” of Christ (Matthew 23:25-26) … or when we shake our fists in intolerant bigotry, and thereby receive the perversion of not knowing the perfect Mercy of the Father (Matthew 5:40-48) …
Any of that ring any bells? …
And yet there is an alternative, my dear Lucy … There is an alternative to hate – and to fear – and to ignorance – and to intolerance. And that alternative is The Way of Christ … That alternative is active, humble, unconditional LOVE!
“For I have set you an example; that you should do as I have done for you … Very truly, if you understand these things, you are blessed while you do them. … The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘Look, there it is!’ For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is already within you … Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Indeed, whoever becomes humble like this young child is the greatest in the Kingdom … On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and that you are in me, and that I am in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who Love me; and those who Love me will be Loved by my Father … Those who Love me will keep my word, and my Father will Love them, and we will come to them and make our home within them … And this is my Commandment: that you Love one another just as I have Loved you.” ~ Jesus Christ (John 13:15-17 + Luke 17:20-21 + Matthew 18:3-4 + John 14:20-23 + John 15:12)
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