When I read your post, dear Tams (peace, luv!), I had a flashback to my time in the WTBTS... and how things often "worried" me. There seemed to be (were, actually!), SO many "conflicting views" between what they were saying was true/we should do/be doing, and what I was reading "in the Bible." Particularly when it came to Christ, DFing/shunning, and partaking at the Memorial. Once I learned that our dear Lord speaks and chose to listen to HIM, though, the worries melted away.
Someone can share something with me and my spirit will "test" it, one way or another. For most things, it's usually something like Job 12:11; 34:3, (which speaks about the ear testing out words just as the tongue tastes food). The tongue's palate can be dull... or exquisitely sharp and discerning. While my own palate could tell, say, when milk was sour, it could not discern, say, the particular nuances (and differences) in wine... because it was not trained.
My palate is still the same way, although I do know a little more about wine (but not, say, as much as a connoisseur... and certainly not as much as a somalier). My EARS, however, having now been expertly trained by THE "somalier" of words... he who is THE Word... are now exquisitely sharp and discerning. So that my hearing is now keen and acute. Because of this, I know, almost instantly, when something really does not comport with what our dear Lord said, did, says, does... and will do.
Even so, there are times when I am not absolutely sure. Of course, I "test" it, against our dear Lord, what he says/said, what is recorded as to him saying, etc. Even if I'm still not completely clear, though, I don't worry, not even a tiny bit - I just wait. Because I KNOW he will clarify, at some point. Perhaps sooner, perhaps later. Either way, no worries, because he WILL. Because I know him and I KNOW he won't withhold something from me (or any who belong to him) that they need. That they SHOULD know, NEED to know. Or just want to know so as to know the TRUTH. He may not reveal that piece of truth right away but that's only because either it's not the TIME to do so, not our TIME to know... or because we wouldn't be able to grasp/bear it, yet.
One might think, "Well, why not just try us? Why not give it to us and see if we can?" I would respond that (1) he knows us... even better than we know ourselves... and so what we can/cannot bear and when; and (2) there's that saying about "a LITTLE knowledge"... and the danger that can result from that. I might think I can handle something and maybe I can handle (the knowledge of) it. BUT... while I MIGHT think I would/wouldn't DO something with the knowledge, the potential harm... to myself and/or others... isn't worth the risk.
All of that said, we also have our dear Lord's words to not be anxious over ANYTHING. Anxiety, then, and worry... and especially over anything having to do with him, what HE said, what man says that conflicts with what he said, and anything related to that... is, IMHO, a lack of faith. Why in the world would he ALLOW us to walk in darkness, in confusion? He WOULDN'T. At least, not those who TRULY belong to him. The [rest of the] world, though? Those who do NOT belong to him (although perhaps claiming they do)? He has no obligation toward such ones. Shepherd A is only responsible for HIS sheep; he is not bound to care for the sheep of another shepherd - they're own shepherd has that obligation and responsibility.
IF, then, WE are worrying... about ANYTHING... we are lacking faith... and need to ask for MORE faith. Until we no worry, are no longer anxious. If we worrying because we have asked for an answer but such doesn't seem to be forthcoming, we can ask for MORE long-suffering/patience until such answer is provided (OR ask ourselves whether we might have actually received an answer... but rejected it, for some reason or another). Or we can accept that perhaps it is not the TIME for the answer because we (TRULY) are NOT able to "bear" it (yet).
What we CAN'T do... is blame JAH and/or Christ. Because THAT would be "Adhamic" not "christlike". Because it would be accusing God, in our hearts, of withholding something from us that we SHOULD have/is ours TO have/would benefit US, etc. We should only have it if He's chooses to GIVE it. And He would NEVER deprive us of something that would BENEFIT us. He might hold onto it until such time as it will benefit us the MOST... or our having it will not harm us/others, but it will be provided.
Other than that... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to our dear mothers on here! May the undeserved kindness and mercy of my God and Father, the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies, and the love and peace of His Son and Christ, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJAH), be upon you dear ladies... and to you ALL... this day... and to time indefinite!
Peace to you!
YSSFS of Christ,
Shel
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