A way of discerning an authentic walk is to watch the path unfold. An encounter with difficulty in the life of a brother or sister initially brings out a kind of support that is loving, time passes there are offers of accountability partners, suggestions that other actions be taken ... impatience emerges, if well disguised. Exasperation! There has been enough, we are done -- cast them back out into the world for the death of their flesh (see 1 Corinthians 5.) Or the opposite. Patience, kindness, forgiveness, long suffering. The character and relationships between members is built up because the lost sheep is returned to the fold. In a similar situation Peter asked:
The key and critical factor is us: how can we forgive? If we can't then it's time to trim some Tares. Seriously?
An expressed aspect of Pastors' work is to go out among the sheep. What we find is that instead the sheep are gathered together to see the shepherd each Sunday and the really good ones come again on Wednesday. This aspect of absentee Pastors is prevalent when, as earlier discussed, exasperation has begun to mount. The sheep that wander are too much trouble! The simple fact is that the work of shepherding is returning the sheep to the fold. And this is what Christ explained to his disciples.
"It takes what it takes." is an AA / Alanon truth that many have realized to be actual.
For some the change is immediate. For others, the suffering will linger on and on. Our inability to control our urges prevents us from grasping the lesson and moving on in our walk. But if we keep on keeping with that Word, the Lord is faithful and we will be changed. |
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