THE KEY TO DIVINE INFLUENCE
The other day I was looking at someone in disgust, someone who was very rude, someone I did not like very much at all; someone I didn’t even know, almost as if they were my enemy. It was then when the Lord interrupted my thoughts and said, “You cannot influence anyone rightly that you do not like.”
How many times have you heard someone say, “I love them in the Lord, but I don’t like them?” Wow, how many good deeds have I ever done for those I really don’t care for? Let me see, I can’t think of any right now. So how do I influence someone I don’t like? Those few seconds of thoughts were became a sobering reminder for me. This moment of interruption caused me to reflect upon the scriptures below much differently.
"Jesus said, “You have heard them say; ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,' but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matt 5:43-48)
As a society we are prone to primarily influence those we like or those we sympathize with, or feel sorry for, but what about the people we don’t like? What about those we consider to be our enemies? Better yet, what about those who seem to hate us? I think this is especially apparent in the political realm. If we don’t like someone’s politics we shun them with disgust. We even view them as being repulsive because they are contrary to our beliefs. So with an attitude like this how are we suppose to impress them with the kingdom of God? How do we alter their thinking toward heaven? After all, isn’t this our goal? Are we not commissioned to love our enemies? Are we not expected to reach out with the love of God toward those who, in our view, are politically contrary to the kingdom of God? We are called to love of our enemies not because we agree with their choices, but because God loves them. He has chosen to bless the just and the unjust. Ouch! Our Father makes the sun rise on the evil and the good.
So, to begin with, the only way to influence the government of this nation with the government of God is through loving them with the heart of the Father. The only way to change their heart and mind toward God is by expressing the love of God toward them, regardless of their political stance. We are not going to change the world systems simply through better politics, better movies, or better talent. Though these are all good things, they alone are not sufficient enough to turn societies around. The turning key to a better life is sincerely praying for those who appear to be a direct contrast to the heart and mind of God. I am deeply saddened by many of the radio talk shows that use their influence to degrade those whom they do not like. Many of these radio hosts profess to represent God and the good will of the people, yet their choice of words break the barrier of good information and cross over into hateful name calling. Somehow we have decided that as long as the words that are being spoken are for the greater good then its ok. But it’s not ok. In fact, it is directly the opposite of the character of God. Do you honestly believe this is the answer to a better life; a better government?
Evidently it takes a skilled person in the Lord to stand up for what is right and do so in a loving manner. I am guilty for laughing at the jokes of political mockery. You know the kind that turns people into public enemy number one. These exploiting jesters are some of the greatest weapons of the enemy. I am one of many who love to quote, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” But what if the weapon against me and the rest of the body is forged by my own hands; by my own words? Could it be that the phrase, “We are our own worst enemy” bear more truth than we realize? I know this might come across as sounding like “Mr. Goodie two shoes” but I am speaking to you out of my own imperfection; out of my own realization of how I have been guilty of fortifying the forces of the enemy against our nation; against the body of Christ. I believe this kind of reckless behavior creates unnecessary doors of temptation.
So I have purposed that the future choices of my life will be different. Isn’t spiritual leadership fun!? J I will not forge any more weapons for the enemy no matter how great the cause might be. Instead I will destroy the works of the enemy by loving those who appear to be completely contrary to the works of God. We can all do this by praying for them and asking God to reveal the roots of their hatred; even the roots of our own hatred toward them. I am not naïve to the fact that there is a revolution of God’s love sweeping across the world. However, this revolution of love is not just a feel good event. It’s not just a buddy system in the kingdom of God. It’s a revolution, a revelation of God’s love in His people so profound that the entire world notices that when evil acts its worst, the body of Christ will love the most. When this happens the power of divine influence takes place at an unprecedented level. This is when the kingdoms of this world become influenced exponentially by the force of heaven. This when wonders above and signs in the earth appear for all humanity to see and know God. Of all the shifts that have occurred over the last year or so in the spirit, the greatest is in the heart and mind. 2010 will mark the beginning of the last and final frontier of God’s love invading the hearts of people in the darkest regions of this nation and world. I believe the people of God have taken a giant step forward, deep into the heart of God, and the evidence of that step will bear an everlasting fruit for generations to come. Yeah God!
Michael
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