I would like to share with you a story of a Mexican pastor, and of his godly example that we can all learn from.
A few days ago I spoke with a pastor here in Matamoros that AIM has worked with in the past. Some time ago, he had received a donation of land to build a church, and last summer it was finally finished. This pastor has a great passion for the Lord and for the gospel, so the church has been growing quickly. However, a short time ago, the owner of the land came to him asking him to return it. This pastor had a decision to make: fight for the land that he had been working on over a year and risk losing members in the process or accept the wrong done to the church and thereby be an example of love and peace to the church and the community.
This pastor chose to accept the wrong done to him and to the church, and they moved their meetings to a nearby location. This spoke so strongly to me of this pastor’s character. It also reminded me of Paul’s words to the believers in Corinth in a time when they had been fighting amongst themselves. Paul states in I Corinthians 6:7, “Now therefore it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” I have been thinking about this verse for a while. It is not easy to accept wrong, to let ourselves be cheated, but is that what the Lord ask of us sometimes when unity is more important than whatever else may be lost?
Why don’t we all chew on that question for a while and see what the Lord has to teach us?
God bless!
Hey girl! Great blog! I also love your picture! 🙂
Love you Ernie!
Nice story… you might enjoy John Bevere’s book: Honor’s Reward. There’s a similar portion in his book about honoring even when wronged. Not pleading for your rights to be recognized, but choose to remain crucified.
Love you so much Erin! xoxoxo
Bless the pastor. John 14 paints an interesting picture of the Jesus we are called to emulate.
When Jesus dipped bread and gave it to Judas. After the bread, satan entered Judas. Jesus knew what was in Judas’ heart all along.
Still, Jesus washed his feet earlier in the evening and served him communion. WOW!
speaks to me! I need to have a servant’s heart; even toward those whom I know are about to do emminent harm to me.
I absolutely cannot do that in my flesh. Only the Spirit in me will accomlish that, and even then , only if I am willing and yielded. Again, Lord bless the pastor!