As was so well-stated by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3, there are times and seasons for everything. "A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to love, a time to hate..."
There can always be discussion in regards to Old Testament words and New Testament words - do the words of Yeshua "wipe out" any of the Torah and the Prophets? No, I believe HE made that clear when HE said HE did not come to destroy but to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17). So when you consider Solomon's words, how harsh or how comforting are they?
When we decide to eat meat, we must kill the animal the meat comes from. Yet we keep our animals healthy so they might reproduce or we derive products from them (milk, eggs, etc.) Does killing also apply to a spiritual situation? Do not many plants die only to return in the seeds they have produced in their season of growth? Did not Yeshua say we must die to be reborn in HIM (John 3)? Those who love their lives will lose them. Are you not to die daily? This is a concept that applies a "killing" of self. Yet are you to engage in "killing" the flesh you witness in others?
In that sense, the greatest weapon is LOVE. When you see another consumed in the fleshy life of his past, living in a way that dishonors G_D, do you treat that person with hate and disdain? If they INSIST on continued disobedience, you must remove yourself from them. Telling them things they do not wish to face serves no purpose. They are the only ones who have control over their wretchedness - staying in their miserable state or living in the blessing of the L_RD. A pharisee is proud. A pharisee is arrogant. A pharisee believes himself righteous. When a pharisee looks into the mirror, he sees he is "chosen" because he "keeps" the Law. But he is a miserable failure at keeping ALL the Law. Remember - you have to be able to keep ALL the Law..... That is why G_D sent HIS SON! We are ALL failures (as Paul so well-examined in Romans 3). Tell a pharisee that, and he will tear you to pieces!
So you love them, but you turn away from them. At such a time when they desire to change, when they repent; then they can be approached. I think there are those who profess Christ, yet are stubborn in their religiosity. Non-repentance grieves the SPIRIT.
A time to love, a time to hate....
Ah, there are times my heart is filled to bursting with love and times I think of the bagad (name for my ex) and despise everything he represents. I don't hate him, but I do hate everything he has done. I hate his deception, his lies, his life of illusion. Oh, how I have hated his misrepresenting G_D's nature. I think I can say that I hate all in him that has been overshadowed by the devil's will. The flesh he cannot allow to die which is the devil's foothold in him. I guess you could say I hate the devil and all his doings in people's lives and upon this wonderful planet. The devil takes what is our pain and uses it to build that black hole in our hearts that he squeezes as it suits him. Using our wounds to whisper to us that we are unloved, unworthy, doomed to spend eternity with his wickedness. Lies, lies, lies!!! The devil is a liar, a thief. Yeshua came to end his wicked reign - should we elect to live our lives in the shadow of our Savior's wings. Truly, it is our choice.
It is wonderful that although Yeshua was probably not born at this time of year, the world celebrates HIS birth now. I join the world in that celebration, I have celebrated the Festival of Lights to honor the Light of the World. May the focus remain on HIM, on HIS goodness, HIS kindness, HIS joy. May we feel the warm comfort of family and friends and forget the nagging blare of consumerism that engulfs America at this time. May G_D bless us and may we hear the angels proclaim: "Glory to G_D in the highest and on earth, peace among men, with whom HE is pleased" G_D gave us HIS Son so that we might be redeemed - it is THE greatest gift.
