Faith Working by Love

Good afternoon everybody,
A wise bible study teacher once said they try not to teach on something they are still working on, not to say they are perfect or they have mastered it, but only that they have settled into the Word about it, and they know the Way. So I am not perfect in this love thing (I can see Brian now, FOFLOL). There is a certain scowl, a look that oozes contempt, and looks very similar to my squinting to keep the air from leaking from my breathing mask into my eyes. So am I mad or just windblown? I’d like to say windblown all the time. Again, pick Brian up off the floor – he needs to breathe; no more laughing now!
So you understand I am not a master, but I know the Master. He is perfect! He never rolled His eyes in disrespect. He is recorded as cutting off someone only in one case, and He said ‘get thee behind me, Satan!’ to him. Somehow I think that would be a rare case where we had permission to say that! He had lots of hard words for people. He drove out the animals and greedy people from the temple, but He was not out of control when He did it. He was angry but never sinned.
What is ok, what is not? You would think that by 43 I might have some answers. Well, I have some. Generally speaking, if our feelings are screaming, we should not act on them. Screaming feelings are never the fruit of the Spirit. Peace doesn’t scream. When feelings scream, take charge of them like you would a two year old having a tantrum. Yes they scream but they are not in control. At least not in a healthy family. So we are spiritually healthier as we control and discipline our feelings. That ‘umpire of peace’ that the bible talks about is the voice of the Lord inside. Jesus always listened to Him for everything. Ephesians says be angry but sin not. Many times today I wanted to backhand someone, and I did yell this morning, but after that I did better. Of course my yells sound like squeaks in the mask. Not exactly intimidating, but sin all the same. That whole seventy times seven thing comes to mind. I lost count, but I guess that is how it should be. Right? Love keeps no record of wrong. Jesus didn’t, even though people spit and slapped and ripped out His beard. He didn’t even when they yelled all sorts of insults at Him while He hung naked and exposed, dying on a cross where every breath moved and tore against His hands, feet and raw back. And He still keeps no record of wrong even though we act like I did today.
Here is the point… (finally) my faith, your faith, whosoever’s faith, will not work if our mind is full of strife. And strife happens. So take a deep breath and remember that you have a choice, I have a choice. Even with red faces and screaming feelings, we have a choice. Love listens to the umpire of peace. Now thanks be to God who ALWAYS causes us to triumph (over our feelings) in Christ.
I love you all! I really do!!
Healed by His stripes,
Nancy Bass