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Avoid Contrary Souls

“Avoid Contrary Souls” By Kirk Hunt

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Romans 16: 17–18 NKJV

Unleashed in the world are men and women who deliberately cause wounds, separation and needless controversy. Contrary souls are not always easy to spot. Contrary souls can be dealt with, once detected.

Contrary souls assault others because they can, and the victim cannot (usually) retaliate. Contrary souls start brawls among others, because they somehow profit from the disturbance. Contrary souls violate Scripture and take pleasure, or income, from the act.

Most groups have one or two souls who are (usually) at the root of controversies and clashes. In too many churches, extended families, or workplaces a sigh goes up when certain names are spoken. Everyone knows that bad news is associated with certain souls.

They may hide for a season, but sooner or later their contrary nature is exposed. Once they are out in the open, you can start to minimize the damage and heartache they cause. Shining Scripture and Godly wisdom on their toxic words and ways will always begin the healing process.

You may not be able to evade seeing a contrary soul, but you can avoid giving them room to operate. You can avoid letting them get away with their selfish and self-serving actions. The aggravation you avoid may be your own.

Think: Scripture commands me to identify and avoid those who act contrary to Scripture.

Pray: “Lord, help me to first see, then respond to contrary souls, according to Scripture.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Enough Love To Persist

“Enough Love To Persist” By Kirk Hunt

Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

Matthew 18: 15–16 NKJV
Please also read Matthew 18: 15–17

Confrontation is an act of love and loyalty. It is part of the healing protocol against moral and spiritual infection. One dose is not always enough. Godly men and women must persist in loving confrontation until there is change.

Jesus gave us a procedure for resolving conflict. We are commanded to have courage and speak, alone the first time, directly to an offending brother or sister. The goal is not hurt feelings but restoration. The best outcome is reconciliation driving out separation.

Men and women continue to sin (a specific way) either because they do not know better, or because they benefit (profit) from the sin. Persistent, Godly confrontation forces home the truth and degrades the benefit.

Human beings can be willful, obstinate creatures. While it is easy to recognize error and willfulness in others, it is more difficult to see it in yourself. Dismissing a single complaint is one thing. Dismissing a growing portion of your community is a different thing.

Persist in saying the truth, especially to power. Shine the lights of Scripture and publicity on injustice and wrongdoing. After a while, God’s righteousness will disinfect even the most deeply entrenched infection of sin.

Think: I must be persistent in Godly confrontation, an act of love and loyalty.

Pray: “Lord, help me to persist with love and grace, especially in confrontation.”

Enough Love To Confront

“Enough Love To Confront” By Kirk Hunt

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Galatians 2: 11–12 NKJV
Please also read Galatians 2:11–12

Apostle Paul chose to confront Apostle Peter. No one would say, or even think, this act of courage made Paul an enemy of Peter. Real brothers and sisters refuse to let a sibling continue in error. Sometimes, confrontation is an act of love and loyalty.

Confrontation is rarely a pleasant activity for either side. Pain, grief and anger all too easily flow in, and from, the moment. After all, confrontation is not needed when everything is right and righteous.

Biblical confrontation is an act of love. It is an act of devotion and courage when parents confront a son or daughter about drugs. Things will only get worse if a husband does not confront his wife with evidence of infidelity. Consider the loyalty of a sister who confronts her friend about a moral failing.

The drug user will deny it. The adulterer will blame others. The fallen will make excuses. The strong and courageous will refuse to be deterred, despite the tears and harsh words.

God’s men and women confront their brothers and sisters in love, and with grace. Not to condemn, but to help start repentance and reconciliation. Acts of love are not always pleasant. Acts of loyalty are usually uncomfortable. Do them anyway.

Think: Godly confrontation is an act of love and loyalty.

Pray: “Lord, guide me in love and grace, especially in confrontation.”

His Command To Love

“His Command To Love” By Kirk Hunt

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34 NKJV

Lots of folks are talking about “love” these days. Some are also speaking of brothers and sisters. If I really love men and women as my brothers and sisters, what actions should I take?

I am blessed with three brothers and a sister. We have had conflicts and words. No matter how angry we have been at each other, we have never once refused to protect, assist and support each other. Ever.

Jesus loved us first and best. Out of love, He laid down His life for us. He did not wait for us to stop being His enemy (Colossians 1: 19–22). He did not wait for us to stop sinning (Romans 5:8).

As a Christian, I should follow His example. If you are a Christian, I ask you to consider His example before you act. What can you do to prove to yourself that you follow His pattern?

Perhaps that means letting myself be wronged in order to win back a Gospel sibling (1 Corinthians 6: 7-8). It could mean pointing out a shortcoming in grace and humility (Matthew 18: 15–17). If the Apostles had conflicts, it should come as no surprise that today’s saints will not always see eye-to-eye (Galatians 2: 11–12).

I am blessed with numerous Gospel brothers and sisters. Some are not Christians yet. It is not always easy to love them, but I am following Jesus’ commandment and example.

Think: Love is a series of acts. Sometimes, acts of sacrifice.

Pray: “Lord, help me to love Your children as my brothers and sisters.”

Be The Strong One

“Be The Strong One” By Kirk Hunt

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Romans 15:1 NKJV

Now is the time to be strong. Be strong enough to survive injustice. Be strong enough to overcome fear. Most of all, be strong enough to help others.

Often, our best ministry comes when we are most under pressure. We are God’s best ambassadors when we stand after hurt and loss, then reach out to those who oppose us the most. It is not enough to turn the other cheek. You must also carry the burden (Matthew 5:38-42).

My heart has been torn by recent events. Anguish and fear are not a help. I have turned to God’s strength and grace. They are the tools that bring reconciliation and restoration.

Strength is not a clenched fist. Strength is found in skillful hands that bind wounds and uphold the weak. An avenging spirit is not strength. Strength is found in hearts and minds that pierce the chaos with wisdom and justice.

All Christians should be eager to respond with the strength they get from God. Strength that refuses to hate. Power that acts through wisdom and justice. Might that overcomes fear and injury.

The solutions to today’s problems are neither quick nor easy. The solutions to the issues we face require strength and fortitude to work through the chaos to God’s peace. God calls you to take His strength, then serve others with wisdom and justice.

Think: Strength is not a fist of vengeance. Real strength chooses wisdom and justice.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister to others with Your strength.”

The Burden In His Heart

“The Burden In His Heart” By Kirk Hunt

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 NKJV

It was 1990-ish and I sat alone in a room of white men and told the story from my heart. “White cops do not stop to help black men.” I was there to learn about how to minister. Instead, I discovered a burden in my heart I did not know I had. A hurt I would have otherwise kept hidden.

My Christian brothers listened carefully to a viewpoint they did not expect to hear. They could not reject my story without rejecting me. So, for a little while, they helped me bear my burden. Their obedience to Jesus helped begin healing an infection that could have disqualified me from ministry.

I did learn a lesson about ministering to men and women during that day. Whatever you think, a man’s experience is his experience. He is correct about what he felt. You may not understand or agree, but you cannot reject the story that comes from his heart without rejecting him. And it may be appropriate for your heart to ache with him.

I struggle when men and women tell me hard, painful stories about their earthly fathers. My memory of Poppa Hunt remains my most valuable possession. Still, I believe the story they share from their heart. I then lead that hurting soul to Jesus, our Healer.

In the coming days and weeks, God’s people will be ministers of healing, reconciliation and restoration. It starts with a willingness to accept the heart the story comes from. Then lead them humbly and graciously to Jesus. Bear their burden, for a while, so that healing can begin.

Think: Reconciliation and healing begin by bearing someone’s burden.

Pray: “Lord, help me to bear someone’s burden, as Your instrument of healing.”

Christians Do Not Hate

“Christians Do Not Hate” By Kirk Hunt

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:20 NKJV

I am always disappointed when someone, claiming to be a Christian, expresses hate for others. Jesus told us the world would hate Christians. Not once did He command us to hate sinners, even in retaliation. Multiple times, He commanded us to love those who hate us.

Jesus said in Luke 6:27, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Perhaps the hearing part is the tricky part. Perhaps the obedient to Christ part is a different tricky part.

Jesus could have called down fire on various sinners and adversaries during His earthly ministry. He did not do so, even once. Instead, He died for the Pharisees who hated him. Jesus forgave His executioners during His execution. He died for you and I, even though we were sinners.

The Christ I serve healed foreigners and aliens. He proclaimed that He came to minister to sinners and tax collectors. May I remind you that He personally refused to condemn an adulteress, caught in the very act?

Condemnation ends the conversation. Conviction leads to restoration. Christians are commanded to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) of all men and women. We cannot hate the souls we expect and want to love Jesus.

Think: I cannot (effectively) share Jesus with someone I hate.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my love for You by loving Your (sinful) children.”

Healing Instruments

“Healing Instruments” By Kirk Hunt

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

I am horrified. Each black man could have been a nephew, cousin, brother or one of my precious sons. Each policeman could have been a nephew, cousin or one of my Gospel brothers. “God where is Your healing?”

There is pain and outrage as the carnage continues. There is fear, anger and despair as the body counts climb. The cycle of violence can only be broken through reconciliation and restoration.

Clearly, America needs healing. God’s power is the only source powerful enough to cleanse the infection and mend the wounds. Consider this: He will use His people to do the work.

The image is not of held hands and gentle songs. The picture is of the hard, painful labor of self-examination and repentance. There will be the hard, sweaty work of choosing a different, better way. After that, there will be grueling practice until righteousness becomes an engrained response. And through it all, we will have to start trusting each other.

God is our source, but we are the instruments. It will take everyday men and women, just like you, to reach out to others in grace and humility. Consider someone else’s heart and mind, first and last. Do the hard things that end the violence and fear.

There may be hot tears and harsh words. That is okay. Healing will begin after the infection is cleared and the wounds begin to close.

Think: I am God’s instrument of reconciliation and healing.

Pray: “Lord, we seek Your face. Heal our land.”

Christians Do Not Fear

“Christians Do Not Fear” By Kirk Hunt

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:18–19 NKJV

In recent days it is hard to avoid the media fixation on anger among citizens, the world over. There are many potential reasons for all of that rage, but most fall short of explaining the root or true cause. Fear, on the other hand, easily explains the driving force of so much poor behavior in the world.

Remove fear of coming events and people will live without violence or unrest. Even when conditions are harsh or difficult, they keep their heads. When people become afraid of what will happen next, the torches and pitchforks come out. Keep in mind that neither fearful mobs nor fearful individuals make good decisions.

Christians of course should never give in to fear. We are loved by God Himself. The Creator looks after His own.

Consider also that His love drives out fear. The more you allow His care and concern for you to saturate your life, the less room there is for fear. Sound like a good deal to me.

If you are a son or daughter of God, you can trust in His love for you. Things may not be easy, but you can live in the confidence of His care and concern especially for you. There is no room for fear in a heart filled with God’s love.

Think: God’s love for me drives out my fear.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my life in Your love and without my fear.”

Loving Under Authority

“Loving Under Authority” By Kirk Hunt

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:1–2 NKJV
Please also read Romans 13:1–14

The Apostle Paul commanded Christians living in Rome to obey the rule and authority of the Roman Caesars. These same Roman leaders would eventually behead the Apostle. Paul’s words, and example, remain a commandment for Christians today. Our dual citizenship in God’s Kingdom, and a secular government, leads to complexities we answer through His love and grace.

Christians are good citizens of God and heaven, first and foremost. When push comes to shove, His grace and love should flow out of us to the men and women who persecute us. Especially when they respond with dogs and firehoses.

Paul was beheaded for preaching the Gospel. Traditionally, all of the Apostles, save John, were martyred for preaching Jesus. The Apostles loved Jesus, and their pagan persecutors, more than themselves. Instead of a clenched fist they used their loving hearts to turn the authorities to Jesus.

Through prayer and living as authentic Christians, the Apostles turned pagan Rome into a Christian nation. No nation, or group, is so far gone that it cannot be brought, or returned, to Christ. Are you willing to live, love and potential die as a citizen of heaven?

Think: I am first and foremost a loving citizen of heaven. Regardless of the cost.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my life as a testimony of Your love.”

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.