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| Bare with me |
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Recently the Lord clarified something for me, through the following scripture:
4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
I finally noticed just how inclusive this verse is, when I realized that Paul could have written, “bearing with others in love.” But he didn’t. His emphasis is on the fact that real, healthy relationship is a two-way street. As I obey the scriptural admonition to bear with others, I am to recognize that at the same time they are bearing with me! Therefore, a successful relationship is one in which both parties are bearing with each other, toward the mutually beneficial goal of unity. And our unity as Christians actually benefits more than just those specifically in the relationship. The Spirit of God actually uses our unity to bless others, both inside and outside the body of Christ. Think about that!
Unity in the Spirit is very important. It’s a vehicle for ministry, and for the sharing of the Gospel. It’s also a vehicle for spiritual growth. Our intimacy with other Christians makes it increasingly difficult to hide areas of sin and selfishness in our lives, and increasingly easier to be spurred on to good deeds.
Therefore, let us bear with one another in love! Bring down the masks and guards, baring ourselves to one another in the process. Bring on the true Christian fellowship, encouragement, support, and accountability. The work is in the bearing, while the blessings come through the baring! |
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| Hey MH, thanks for the comment! Yep, care should be taken. The point of emphasis for me was that relationship is a two-way street. Realizing this helps me to be gracious towards others who would otherwise "offend" me. |
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| Thanks Mike! something to think about. |
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| You scared me with that title at first Mike. I thought you takin us back to the garden or somethin. But now that I read the whole thing I think you make a real good point. We put up with folks cause of the love God put in our hearts, and we have the freedom to be totally open and honest with our brothers and sisters because it's a two-way street, and they are showin Christ's love to us, ready to encourage and love us back. |
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| lol! back to the Garden. That's funny! |
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Mike,
Revelation is a beautiful thing.... The Spirit teaches us... if we but follow His directions we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.... the "bearing with each other" while yes being a two-way street, does imply that one be vunerable in Christ - open- revealing-displaying God's work in progress. Will we trust the process?
Pastor Aminata
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| The title scared me a bit there Mike. But it is really true what you said! |
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Mike,
You said the same thing I said in my last blog (kind of). Iappreciate your blogs. You know how to get the point across without controversy. Lately, people have just been trying to pick a fight with me. Thanks for THIS blog! I think I'll just send you amessage for my next blog entry and just have you write it for me. Of course you knowI'mkidding.
Take care and God Bless! |
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Rosie |
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October 08, 2007 at 9:46am |
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MIKE YOU DO WRITE WELL AND YOU KNOW MY THOUGHTS ON THAT SUBJECT....HAVE YOU STARTED YET....LOL
ANY WAY GREAT BLOG...SO THIS MEANS YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BE MY FRIEND RIGHT????????????????????????????????9JUST FUNNIN WITH YA) |
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I was thinking that if we sow grace to others, we may reap grace back when we need it. Ever wondered why you may not have favor or grace with people? What kind of seeds are ya sow'n?? Discord or grace??? YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
This blog gently encourages us to remain in the spirit and sow seeds of grace.
Just beautiful Mike! |
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| I like what you said about intimacy, that it makes it diffiult to hide sin but also spurs us on to good deeds. That sounds like a wonderful catalyst for change to me. How else can we accomplish it, if we are not in an environment among people who will spur us on and push us toward something greater than the things that bind us detrimentally. Great blog! |
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Gene |
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October 08, 2007 at 10:02am |
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It's fascinating that you mention this now. Our church is doing a series on the "Habits of a Highly Effective Christian Life" and last week was "Think Win-Win." That is similar to what you're saying, Mike. Of the verses we studied, one stuck with me:
11:24 One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. 11:25 A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Great blog (as usual)! |
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Thanks Pastor Aminata! Revelation is a beautiful thing, especially when confirmed by (or originated by) scripture!
Rosie, I'm your friend as long as you continue to bear with me! (hahaha)
Brad, I'm convicted to read your last blog now. :-) btw, who in the world would pick a fight with you? You always seem to have the community's best interests in mind, as far as I can tell.
Thanks JF, sorry about the title! (Mullet had the same reaction.)
Well said, Shannon. Sow discord or grace. Your choice. But then, we do reap what we sow. |
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Deb |
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October 08, 2007 at 10:16am |
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| I don't know what I would do without my brothers and sisters in Christ. They help me to bear up to each day's challenges, and I know they will be there in times of trouble. |
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Joey |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:39pm |
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| Amen, brother! |
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There's a lot of bearing going on in that thar BIBLE, Jesus bore our sins and our curses as he was nailed to the cross. God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can handle. He'll leave us a way out so we can bear up under it. And now we are to bear with one another in love.
Sheesh, and I always just assumed I was such a pleasure to hang with. You mean people have to bear with me too. When I discovered I had character defects imagine my suprise. |
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Jen |
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October 08, 2007 at 2:49pm |
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| Good naked truth here, Mike! :-) |
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| Well said... good spirtual food to chew on. Thanks! |
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| Mike, I like the bearing/baring duality. I think it is our desire for intimacy that causes us to seek Him out in the first place. He tends to bear much more than I allow myself to do, but then again, He probably knows how much really does need bearing. I think that our bearing/baring falls into the same line as forgiveness. We start by offering ourselves, without expectation, and with some semblence of openness. It's when we see a return of that offering that communion (baring) starts to happen with two people. If fact what your really talking about is communion between two people. Bear means endure, bare means to strip naked, endurance free's up our hearts to be stripped naked before the person who bears with us. It is unity because of that we walk deeper into God's things, and then our "baring" can happen in true intimacy and communion. I know that this is also why marriage is such a strong metaphor for our communal intimacy, and also why divorce is such a strong breaking of that same relational concept. It is also why the strong encouragement to keep the bond of peace. Great blog brother, it is very good to be reminded of our reason to have intamacy and communion. |
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Mike
I know this speaks to me, and I'm working on it God is not finished with me yet, sometimes I have a thing with Patients I want things yesterday and when I'm told that i going some place and your going with me please don't make me late, I don't like being late or waiting on somebody who suppose to pick me up an hour ago. Mike it's get better I pray everytday that my God reveal to me what I need to change, and it going great. |
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| I really appreciate what you have written, Mike - very well said. I am always blessed by what you write. You are definitely hearing from God. I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field. John Wesley. |
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Brent |
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October 08, 2007 at 6:12pm |
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Mike, I was thinking you had a typo for the title of your blog until I read it. Very interesting thoughts. I like what you have to say and I think it makes sense to me. I would say that we have to be ready to bare ourselves to others even before they are ready to do the same. Kind of like the world's idea of marriage being a 50--50 deal. I would contend that marriage is 100% from me. After all we are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. There was no 50% there was there? Someone said we need to be careful about this. I would agree that we need to be wise about not baring things that are not wise or encouraging. 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for giving necessary teaching, and for grace to those who give ear. Grace & Peace! |
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Deb, that's another take on bearing with. Helping each other carry burdens of life! Good to hear from ya, thanks!
Jack2U, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thanks Kyleen, Joey, MaKelly, wonderful reading your comments, thank you also!!!
Brent, I'm totally on board with your assessment of marriage. Jesus withheld nothing of himself from his bride, did he? Then why would we squabble over % w/our spouses? Or even with God? (as far as giving) Good point!
Pastor Tim, very encouraging, thanks! You are so well read, don't know where you find the time!! |
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| Wow Dennis, reread what you wrote 2x and still trying to digest it. Man you're deep! (Why don't U blog more?!) .....Along the lines of what you're saying, doesn't it feel good to confide in someone, to share your deep thoughts and inmost feelings? This revealing is the baring I wrote about. But to have someone with whom we can bare ourselves, we must bear with them, "endure" as you said. Amen to that! But when we stop "bearing with" and start taking offense or trying to change them, the walls (barriers) to baring go up, and the relationship is tainted, diminished, corrupted. If this isn't corrected, the relationship can fail. (e.g. divorce in the marital sense) What a tragedy! Thus the importance of bearing with, and recognizing that we too are beared with! Thanks Dennis! |
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| Dave, cmon, I know you're a pleasure to hang out with! lol ....actually you do seem like quite a man of grace from what I've read of your writings....is there a lovelier quality? |
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Glenn |
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October 09, 2007 at 6:21am |
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Mike,
I look forward to reading everything you have to write. God is blessing all of us through your well written blogs. Thanks for posting and bearing with all of us. This has been a great read from top to bottom. Thanks to all who added comments. God please teach each of us here to bear one anothers burdens.
peace |
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Hey Glenn, thanks!!! Great comment. Yes, ALL comments are deeply appreciated, from the one-liners to the really deep stuff (like Dennis' contribution!). Bearing each other's burdens does seem to be something done with pleasure here.....and admittedly, it really isn't too difficult to bear with folks who always write nice things like you do Glenn.  |
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Rosie |
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October 09, 2007 at 10:16am |
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WE WILL BE FRIENDS FOREVER THEN........... |
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Mike,
You are so very gracious. Let's say my life has been a bit tied up lately. New grandson, his dad getting ready to go to Iraq, pursueing relationships, and somewhat hiding out to cover up a recent bout of lonliness. God has been working though and His moves are always towards healing and growth. I will tell you that one of my real joy's has been watching as people like Dave have bared themselves to us in their blogs and in their answers to our blogs. The breadth of exerience here has been awesome. I have a very strong belief in this place in cyberspace, the Church is mystically growing beyond the boundaries of our church boxes. you already know how highly I respect those boxes, so you can understand how greatly I am in awe of God's ability to use pseudo churches to move us outside our own limitaions of what God can do in our "space". So, to come back to topic, as we bear with each other, in all our wonderful differences, we can come to a point of baring ourselves before Him to have Truth revealed in our woderful and humorus imperfections. I kinda like the freckles He's given me, how about you to your's? |
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