Learning To Love...

[Edward]

I failed it again. How can the flesh continue to judge by appearance and so withhold love, when the spirit man is consciously trying to love his brother as himself? Is it not I, but sin that dwelleth within me? Or perhaps more likely, that I do not know how to love as I should? Scripture says we grow in love, so we have to learn to love.

So I woke up at 2:30 Am, use the bathroom and smoke a cigarette, and then I hear someone knocking at the door. Huh? At 2:30 in the morning? So I immediately do everything wrong. I forget that the Lord is even here, armed myself and quietly went to look out to see who it is.

We got about 5-6" of fresh snow and it's about 3° F outside tonight. Anyway, I look out the window carefully so as not to be seen, and don't see anyone. So I checked the front and do not see anyone there either. I'm standing there wondering if it was my imagination or something, and I suddenly get the feeling I should look again out the side. So I go to the window above the side door and peer down...and there he is. A man wearing a hoodie sorta close to the house at the door. All sorts of stuff began running through my head, hoodie because cold or to conceal his identity? Criminal? I had to fight and repel an attempted home invasion once before, so all those possibiities are there too. Or, maybe a homeless guy freezing his butt off and hoping praying that he can find a warm place? Needs help?

Instead of answering the door I just continued to stand there watching him and thinking about it. I might of been waiting to see if I heard the glass break...and then he goes out the gate and down the driveway. He walked up the street and I watched him until he was out of sight.

So I came down and sat down and thought about it. Now I was remembering that we are to walk in Love as Jesus did, towards our fellow man. He might have needed help. SO I prayed for the man, and also asked forgiveness for not at least attempting to help him. I feel bad about that. The least I could do is answer the door and see.

The Lord is here, what could happen?! I'm fairly armed to the teeth to like most other folks nowadays also...so what was my problem here?

Man's modern wisdom would say that I did everything right. You don't answer the door when you're not expecting someone. Especially in the night season when criminals are more active. But that's carnal thinking.

So I reached out and turned on the computer and go to youtube to listen to a message. Bradford McClendon posts God Stories, which are testimonies. Hey, he has new one up, so I click on it. He begins recounting one time when our Lord Jesus came to visit him...and He came with the appearance of a man...and he did not recognize Jesus because he judged (Him) by appearance (and we're told not to!), so he missed his visitation. The Lord did reveal to him that he missed it because he didn't look to the inside instead of the outside...and I about fell off my chair. He prayed for another chance and the Lord did say yes.

We are to love our neighbors as ourself. People are the most valuable thing on earth. We're supposed to help and not fear. Abide in the Lord and walk with Him...out onto the field with Goliath even, if necessary. He has overcome the world. We recently chatted in another thread about being able to see Jesus in others...the least you do for others, you do for Jesus Himself. For all I know, that was Jesus knocking at the door? It's not like I haven't prayed that Jesus will come visit me and manifest Himself to me as scripture says He will! I desire that a lot. I've heard many testimonies from people who have had visitations, and He comes many times in the night. I've always envisioned Him just appearing or coming through the wall or ceiling, but scripture does say, behold I stand at the door and knock, and if any man opens the door then I will come in unto him...so it could have been Him. Many many testimonies that I've heard all say that when God does something that it's different than how they expected it to happen, so there's that...

So now I wonder if I missed a visitation? Clicking on that video testimony and him saying what he did, might not be a coincidence. That was prolly the Lord, letting me know that I missed it. I couldn't put the old man behind me and step out in the faith and love that I am supposed to. I know more about man's so-called wisdom and indoctrination's than I do God's love. I think that's what it amounts to. We (I) need to learn how to Love better. and to abide in Him, I could have easily went to answer the door with Jesus, and whether it was Him at the door, or someone needing help, I would have been covered. So either way, I missed out on an opportunity.

Crap. I feel terrible about it now.

You can bet money that I've already prayed and asked for another chance, too! :tongue
So at least I learned something this morning already. That's good. :yes

 

[Garion]

Yeah, even on a bad day if you learned something it wasn't all bad.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Well that was a good story but although we aren't to judge people by their appearances, you were right for acting a bit cautious. It's true that you may have gone overboard but you never really know who to trust anymore when you aren't expecting anybody. I hope and pray that if the man was needing help that he received the help he needed though. Just remember every time somebody knocks on your door don't expect it to be Jesus. Although that would be awesome, (especially if He was wearing a hoodie) you also have to remember to think about your own safety.

 

[for_his_glory]

Edward, don't feel like the lone ranger as many of us have missed opportunities to help others and have kicked our own butts later. It happens and it doesn't mean we lose any favor from God, but just a missed opportunity. There will be more come your way that you will recognize.