THE RIGHTEOUS CRUSADER ATTITUDE

 

                                          # 3-The Righteous Crusader Attitude-

 

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest… ‘it is hard for you to kick against the pricks(goads).'" Acts 9:1-9

POINT - There are situations where we feel we are on a righteous campaign and we need to defend against, attack, oppose, and fight an (actual or assumed) evil. This attitude is likely marked with hostile attitudes and behaviours against persons and or things. Conflict and strife even anger and hate are in the path and wake of such an attitude, all the while feeling totally justified, and even doing God a service.

 

 “The time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God a service.” John16:2. If this is the case we need to examine ourselves: “You know not what manner of spirit you are of.”

Luke 9:55, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21, “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; ...” Galatians 5:22-23, “But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James  3:14-16.

 

 If this describes you, you need to be concerned, repent, and do so immediately! Then ask God to show you what is your responsibility, and learn how The Lord Jesus would handle it.

Even if your anger is over something that God in His Word calls evil, our duty is to do what He is asking, and leave the results to Him. He does the changing. We, for our part, are to walk in humility, love, and peaceably with all men. “Hebrews 12:14.

Summary: When we check the fruit of our actions, attitudes, speech, behaviours, feelings, thoughts, and do not see a Christ-likeness, we know that no matter how right we feel we are, we are wrong somewhere and need to make an adjustment, or even repent.

Your main adversaries: Pride, assumption, lack of understanding, incorrect information and

                                         interpretation, human bias or prejudices, lack of compassion and love.

                                         “…love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44.

-          Pride will be the initial wall you will likely hit. However, unless you can

break through it you will never see from the Lord’s perspective nor be

doing right as you fully intend. Remember the religious leaders opposed   the Lord Jesus Christ in their zeal, as did the Apostle Paul. What will it take?

“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the

wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20.

ACTION STEP              a. – Humble yourself in the sight of God. “I will stand upon my watch and

                                     set me upon the  tower, and will watch to see what He will say to me, and

                                              what I shall answer when I am reproved.” Habakkuk 2:1.

                                              Your cause may be fine, but your approach, understanding may need

                                              to be adjusted.

a.       – Re-evaluate your cause, duties, and methods from the Biblical

perspective. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My

                            ways higher than ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.   Isaiah 55:8-9.

                                              Whether saving trees or souls, Jesus Christ is our Perfect Example.

 SAFETY CHECK          c. – Examine your action intentions; what are you willing to do to accomplish

                                               your goals – attack, destroy, kill???? If any of these are a possibility of

                                               your addenda, you need to get right with God the Father of our Lord

                                               Jesus Christ!!

WHERE WE NEED TO BE = THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST - Philippians 1:9-10,

 1 John 4:16, 1 Corinthians 13, Jude 20-21.  In this our thinking, judgement, and actions, will reflect that of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is where we need to be!

                                      STOP - CONSIDER - EXAMINE - REPENT! 

Let us look at our Example, the Lord Jesus Christ, how did He change the world? He overcame evil with good, He turned the other cheek, He spoke the truth in love, He loved His enemies, He laid down His life for us while we were yet sinners…. Then He rose up from the dead!!!   Let us get our direction form the Lord!

 

NOTE – When we are abiding in the Lord and being moved by His Holy Spirit we will have the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 operating in our lives and His peace and love that passes understanding.The works of the flesh try and force, manipulate, attack. WHAT WILL IT BE?

STOP-CONSIDER-DECIDE-START RIGHT NOW CAREFULLY AND DON’T MISS A STEP!!!