I will never forget the day I realized that both God and the devil wanted me to die but for different reasons. Satan wanted to destroy me through slander while God wanted to use these same lies to crucify my vulnerability to man’s control. The Lord knew a time would come when my books would bless many people. So, to inoculate me against the praise of man, He baptized me in the criticisms of man until I died to the opinions of man. Yes, I am accountable, but I now live only for God’s pleasure. Whether I please or offend man, that is the Lord’s business, not mine.
~ Francis Frangipane
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
~ The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 3
Oh beloved, truth can hurt. There is now within us, a compass pointing to the good. Those of us who have cast away any hope in ourselves and put it all in Him, know that sin or self desire are things we no longer really want. But, just as true as we are free, nearly no one wants to believe it is true. And instead of rejoicing in the freedom we have found in Him, they would rather tear us apart.
This fool of a writer has become a friend with the Truth. And while there are many times where truth hurts, it always brings more reality and goodness to my life – and continues to open doors to even more freedom. Truth and Life and Love go together quite nicely. And it is astoundingly refreshing to not have to keep track of my words, and to let them stand for what they are.
Even so, there is pain in a Life set free. i have, like Him, become a man of great sorrow. The world is a tragically hurting place, and those hurting tend to lash out at persons who Love. It is not even really (usually) on purpose. People are just hurting so badly that they lash out like a drowning man trying to grab a raft.
In less than the past two years, G_d has launched me into ministries i never thought possible. i have been teaching Christian Worldview at an international school in an Asian Megacity. And during this time of preaching and teaching and working amongst hundreds of secondary students, some one hundred of them have come to know Him. Additionally, ministry to family, writing, counseling, discipling and outreach work to some of the poorest of the poor, has borne more fruit in the Kingdom. He did it. Not me. That’s for sure. Nothing in me is able to do what He has called me to do.
And also in less than the past two years, i have been reviled for doing the very things that He has called me to do. People and demons and my own self-judgement have hammered me relentlessly as the fruit is brought to life. i have been called, accused, slandered, doubted, rejected, criticized and misunderstood in ways that did not seem plausible in the past.
Child abuser
Liar
Cheater
Jack-Ass
Hypocrite
Mentally unstable
Uncaring
Proud
Depressed
Negligent father
Wrong priorities
Unqualified
Impatient
Self-promoter
Holier-than-thou
Untrustworthy
Selfish
White Imperialist
Egotistical
Clueless
And these comments have come from just friends, co-workers, and family. It is difficult to tell what the mass of students (or the readers of my materials) thinks about my approach. Some of those have called me names that do not belong on this blog, and a couple of my closest relations have said things about me that threaten the peace in my soul.
And all of this is very good news.
Can we see it? The freedom we obtain by living in the truth, is a threat to those who do not want to be free. And the emotional gunk in their own subconscious is what is actually spewing out on someone who has been made clean. Additionally, as almost every comment holds a nugget of truth, there is always an opportunity to learn even more truth and become even more free than we are now – even from the toughest, most reviling words.
Even further, this ravaging of our ego has another beneficial effect. We begin to realize who we truly, really, and completely are. We are dead to this world. It is not that we become numb, it is that the comments start to look a bit comical in the light of an eternal judgement where we will be found righteous in the Person and work of Jesus. We are dead. So we are free. And the Father is already well-pleased with a life cast into His great care.
The accuser of the brethren, and the brethren who accuse, will do their thing. And those who abide in hate will rarely abandon their bitter habitation. But, though they mean for evil what they do, He means it for good in our lives.
So, are you being ravaged by the world and those in it beloved? Good. Sounds like you are on the right path. Dead. Alive. Free.
