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Blândețea nu este slăbiciune

Blândețea nu este slăbiciune

“Ferice de cei blânzi, căci ei vor moșteni pământul” (Matei 5:5).

În calitate de urmași ai lui Hristos, suntem chemați să fim blânzi, dar nu trebuie să confundăm blândețea cu slăbiciunea. Și nu există un exemplu mai bun al contrastului dintre blândețe și slăbiciune decât Isus și Ponțiu Pilat. Vă încurajez să citiți toate cele patru relatări din Evanghelie despre procesul și răstignirea lui Iisus, în special Ioan 18:29-19:16.

În ciuda faptului că Isus a fost acuzat pe nedrept, mințit, maltratat cu cruzime și abuzat, El și-a păstrat stăpânirea de sine și o demnitate calmă, neînfricată, dar blândă, întemeiată pe tăria caracterului Său neprihănit și pe încrederea în Tatăl Său, care nu putea fi zdruncinată de niciun asalt lumesc.

Prin contrast, Pilat, deși împuternicit cu o autoritate pământească care era întărită de soldații romani, a dat dovadă de slăbiciune de caracter: o teamă de ceea ce credeau ceilalți, o dorință de a-și compromite propria judecată și de a alege greșit, chiar și atunci când era convins de ceea ce era corect, doar pentru a evita acuzația de a fi neloial Cezarului și de a se confrunta cu potențiala pierdere a poziției și a puterii.

Isus a fost blând și puternic. Pilat a fost slab și a greșit.

Blândețea este o trăsătură de caracter care provine din lucrarea iubirii lui Dumnezeu în inimă; slăbiciunea de caracter provine din inima dominată de frică.

De îndată ce Adam a păcătuit în grădina Edenului, a fugit și s-a ascuns pentru că îi era frică (Geneza 3:10). Frica care incită la egoism face parte din infecția cauzată de păcat. Dar “în dragoste nu este frică, ci dragostea desăvârșită alungă afară frica, pentru că frica poartă în sine pedeapsa. Cel ce se teme n‑a fost făcut desăvârșit în dragoste.” (1 Ioan 4:18 NIV84).

Dragostea ne concentrează preocuparea asupra celorlalți. Frica se concentrează asupra sinelui. Dragostea este dispusă să se sacrifice pe sine pentru alții, în timp ce frica sacrifică integritatea, principiile, onoarea, adevărul și pe alții pentru a se proteja pe sine. “Noi am cunoscut dragostea Lui prin aceea că El Și‑a dat viața pentru noi; astfel, și noi trebuie să ne dăm viața pentru frați.” (1 Ioan 3:16 NIV84).

Cei blânzi Îl iubesc pe Dumnezeu și pe alții și nu se tem să susțină adevărul lui Dumnezeu; cei slabi sunt conduși de frică și vor compromite adevărul pentru a se proteja pe ei înșiși.

Cei blânzi, după ce au renăscut în Împărăția iubirii lui Dumnezeu, experimentează o stăpânire de sine dumnezeiască (Galateni 5:23); cei slabi rămân temători și egoiști și caută să se simtă în siguranță încercând să-i controleze pe alții. Acești oameni slabi “plini de invidie, de ucidere, de ceartă, de viclenie, sunt dușmănoși, șoptitori, bârfitori, Îl urăsc pe Dumnezeu, sunt obraznici, aroganți, lăudăroși, născocitori de rele, neascultători de părinți, fără pricepere, nu‑și țin promisiunile, sunt fără afecțiune, nemiloși.” (Romani 1:29-31 NIV84).

Cei blânzi îi iubesc pe ceilalți, caută să-i binecuvânteze pe ceilalți și înțeleg că dragostea crește doar în libertate; ei promovează autonomia celorlalți. Dar cei slabi sunt geloși pe alții, se tem să nu poată avea ceea ce au alții și caută să-i controleze pe alții.

Cei blânzi prezintă adevărul în dragoste și îi lasă pe ceilalți liberi; cei slabi mint, manipulează și îi constrâng pe toți pentru a se proteja pe ei înșiși.

Liderii religioși din vremea lui Hristos erau slabi de caracter și mistuiți de frică – frica de pierderea puterii, a poziției, a autorității și a respectului; în loc să se bucure de Isus și să recunoască faptul că au greșit, au încercat în schimb să-L distrugă.

Isus i-a învățat pe ucenicii Săi să fie blânzi și să respecte deciziile celor cărora căutau să le vestească Evanghelia. Dacă oamenii nu voiau să-i asculte, ucenicii nu trebuiau să fie ofensați, înfuriați sau refuzați. În schimb, ei trebuiau să recunoască faptul că astfel de oameni își făceau singuri rău și, fără să poarte cu ei “praful” respingerii, să treacă pur și simplu la cei care doreau să audă adevărul. “Dacă cineva nu vă va primi, nici nu va asculta cuvintele voastre, să ieșiți din casa ori din cetatea aceea și să vă scuturați praful de pe picioare.” (Matei 10:14). Cei blânzi prezintă adevărul în dragoste și îi lasă pe oameni liberi să aleagă.

Dar cei slabi de caracter, dacă nu se află în poziții care să le permită să își afirme controlul asupra altora, vor găsi în schimb fie pe cineva puternic în care să creadă, pe care să îl urmeze, căruia să i se predea și căruia să îi devină adept și pion; fie vor deveni un conțopist, un complotist și un manipulator al altora din culise – ca Iuda, care a încercat să îl manipuleze pe Isus prin trădarea din culise.

Cei blânzi rămân fermi pentru adevăr în ciuda oricărei opoziții; ei nu compromit adevărul sau principiile lui Dumnezeu pentru a obține favoruri. Cei slabi, pentru a fi acceptați, prezintă ceea ce ei cred că vor alții să audă, căutând să îi manevreze pe cei din jur pentru a se menține ei înșiși într-o poziție bună.

Te încurajez, așadar, ca urmaș al lui Hristos, prin harul și dragostea lui Dumnezeu, să fii blând – dar niciodată slab! Pentru că Isus vine în curând să îi primească pe cei care au fost transformați pentru a fi ca El. Căci “știm că, atunci când Se va arăta El, vom fi asemenea Lui, pentru că Îl vom vedea așa cum este.” (1 Ioan 3:2 NIV84).

Da, “ferice de cei blânzi, căci ei vor moșteni pământul”! (Matei 5:5).

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Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

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Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

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Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 6

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H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

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Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA