Joshua went unto HIM, and said unto HIM, Art THOU for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And HE said, Nay; but as CAPTAIN of the host of the LORD am I now come. (Joshua 5:13b-14a KJV)
GOD created all of humanity. We have one CREATOR, one FATHER WHO presides over one Family. However, like a typical family, we think GOD chooses sides. Joshua discovered the LORD’s stance on whose side GOD was on before he was instructed to march around the walls of Jericho.
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a MAN over against him with HIS sword drawn in HIS hand: and Joshua went unto HIM, and said unto HIM, Art THOU for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And HE said, Nay; but as CAPTAIN of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto HIM, What saith my LORD unto his servant? 15 And the CAPTAIN of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is Holy. And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15 KJV)
Joshua learned in that moment that GOD’s agenda is not to choose sides. This concept is also demonstrated in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 4, when Cain and Abel brought offerings before the LORD, GOD did not choose Abel’s side over Cain; HE accepted the offering that Abel decided to give HIM, which was according to the will of GOD.
3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering HE had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary toyou, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:3-7)
While Genesis 4 does not include a narrative of how GOD intended sacrifices to be made to HIM, the mere fact that they were making an offering meant that they were fulfilling an ordinance of GOD.
GOD instructed Cain on the importance of making choices and how each option is associated with HIS will. However, the choice was still Cain’s to make. GOD allows humanity to make their own choices. (Joshua 24:15)
Red and Blue Makes Purple
HIS shed blood was red, and HIS bruises were blue. (Isaiah 53) The totality of HIS sacrifice for humanity was purple. (Mark 15:17-20) It’s vital to reconcile that the sacrificial LAMB is for all humanity regardless of the earthly classifications that we give ourselves.
Just as the divine will of GOD constructed the parameters of salvation, without the necessity of the works of man (Ephesians 2:8-9),
HIS will is equally sovereign in the management of a regenerated and unregenerated soul. (Galatians 3:3)
While the purpose of man is to willfully fulfill the “will of GOD,” it also requires the council of GOD to know how HE wants that accomplished. HE alone is the GOVERNOR. In other words, the will of GOD is not lacking where it needs the council of man on how to complete it.
6 For unto us a CHILD is born, unto us a SON is given: and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder: and HIS name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, The Mighty GOD, The Everlasting FATHER, The Prince of PEACE. 7 Of the increase of HIS government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon HIS kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV)
Humanity must be mindful of how we think that GOD wants to govern HIS creation. We must ask ourselves, “Is the governing stone that I have in my hand in the will of GOD?” (John 8:7)
Earthly laws do not bring people closer to HIM. HE came with the government upon HIS shoulders. HE came to govern the hearts of humanity, which were created to have dominion over their area of gifting, not over people. We are supposed to reflect HIS character to each other. When we mirror HIS character, we make better choices and perceive humanity as HE does. (John 8:10-11)
Do We Obey This or That?
We must remember that one principle of GOD does not overrule the importance of another truth. This is why the will of man is inadequate to uphold or supplement the entirety of God’s will.
Over a century and a half ago, Charles H. Spurgeon alluded to the blue/red imbalances of the will of man as human responsibility versus divine sovereignty. This is how he expressed it:
“I believe that the two great doctrines of human responsibility and divine sovereignty have both been brought out the more prominently in the Christian Church by the fact that there is a class of strong-minded hard-headed men who magnify sovereignty at the expense of responsibility; and another earnest and useful class who uphold and maintain human responsibility oftentimes at the expense of divine sovereignty. I believe there is a needs-be for this in the finite character of the human mind, while the natural lethargy of the Church requires a kind of healthy irritation to arouse her powers and stimulate her exertions. The pebbles in the living stream of truth are worn smooth and round by friction.” Charles H. Spurgeon (March 30, 1862)
Red and blue friction are designed to be healthy irritations that smooth out the awareness of TRUTH. We cannot hand-pick which truths are more important. GOD expects us to serve HIM wholistically.
This is why the fruit of the SPIRIT is vital.
Fruit of HIS SPIRIT
22 But the fruit of the SPIRIT is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, 23 MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE: against such, there is no law. (Galatians 5:22 KJV)
HE occupies all these characteristics at the same time. These are not “fruits” of the SPIRIT (plural); they are the fruit (singular) of the SPIRIT. GOD’s character is in HIS entirety at all times. If HE dwells in us, then we have the capability to walk in all these characteristics, too. (Roman 8:1 )
How are Frictions Reconciled?
To reconcile means to bring together. It means to resolve, to merge, and to reunite.
We are supposed to lift WHO HE is and why HE came. The SON of GOD said that if HE is lifted up, HE will draw humanity back to HIM. (John 12:32) HE was lifted on the cross for the sake of humanity-regeneration. HE gave us HIS WORD and indwelling SPIRIT so we could learn of HIS Will.
Cultural differences may fuel friction however, HE remains the sole SOURCE of reconciliation.
18 And all things are of GOD, who hath reconciled us to HIMSELF by JESUS CHRIST, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for CHRIST, as though GOD did beseech you by us: we pray you in CHRIST’s stead, be ye reconciled to GOD. 21 For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM. (II Corinthians 5: 18-21)
If we are HIS servants, our primary goal should be the ministry of reconciliation, not division.
Bless the LORD Affirmation
Bless the LORD, oh our soul and all that is within us. FATHER, we acknowledge that we have missed the mark of reconciliation. Help us, LORD, to reflect YOUR image. YOU did not design frictions to destroy us. They were allowed to develop our ministry of reconciliation back to YOU. Thank YOU for YOUR Grace and Mercy; without it, we would all be destroyed. When our focus is on reconciliation, our souls have the opportunity to bless YOUR Name. We agree to pledge allegiance to reconciliation. In JESUS’ Name, we pray, amen.