I love how some in the body of Christ pick up buzz words from the world and use them to whatever extent is convenient to them. One of those words that i have had a major problem with is the word co-dependant. There is a fine balance and grain of truth to the term but this term is too often used as an escape for one to wipe their hands of a situation or person in their life because of the inconvenience that person or situation brings.
This morning in my reading i noticed this scripture which i believe is applicable as a remedy to the selfish perspective taken on by most who just want to wipe their hands of a person or a situation.
“Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom]. If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the heart perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?” – Prov. 24:11-12
Okay. I get it. You say, “I have no responsibility over another person’s life.” I would say correct. We cannot make a person’s decisions for them. Yet the consistency and frequency of the “one another” scriptures in the new testament give more than the necessary reason for us to believe that it is our responsibility to be our bother’s or sister’s keeper.
“And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you,” – I Thess. 3:12 AMP
“But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].” – Heb. 3:13 AMP
“And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,” – Heb 10:24 AMP
“Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).” – I Pet. 3:8
“For this is the message (the announcement) which you have heard from the first, that we should love one another, [And] not be like Cain who [took his nature and got his motivation] from the evil one and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his deeds (activities, works) were wicked and malicious and his brother’s were righteous (virtuous).” – I Jn. 3:11-12
Most people including myself would get offended if someone came to me and rebuked some action in our lives. But what does the scripture say about scorners?
“He who rebukes a scorner heaps upon himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man gets for himself bruises.” – Prov. 9:7
We live in a society of scorners. Godly wisdom is no longer highly esteemed. What has become popular now is the pragmatic. Does it work for you? If so, great. Keep doing it. As Christ’s body we were never called to do what was practical but what is primary.
“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” – Matt. 6:33
God’s way of doing and being right is often subversive to the world, confounding to the intellect & against the grain of what we would think of by ourselves. The Holy Spirit illumines our darkness and gives us solutions and strategies that are “other worldly”. One of those great strategies is that people matter. They are not commodities but creatures made in the image and likeness of a loving Heavenly Father. They are not to be wiped off, counted out or treated as junk or property. They are to be celebrated, loved and treated according to original created value.
The body of Christ is to be a community of love. Where even the most destitute can be infused with hope and the rebellious will be mourned over and sought out with passion and compassion. That rebellious child is akin to the prodigal and NOT a problem. We are to seek out the lost with love, care and a prayer in our heart.
I am not saying this is easy when we have experienced pain and rejection at the hands of a person. This task my friend is impossible. It must be done by Christ through us. I AM saying that this is necessary and right. Seeking the lost is a fundamental teaching of Christ. All of those who have become a part of the body and experienced the life of God will have experienced this outpouring of love that refuses to be deterred by the ignorance of the lost person to his own condition.
We are to live reconciled and be actively reconciling others to the Eternal God. Relationships are the only thing that will endure the passage from time into eternity so we must live and act with this in mind.