The issue of our emotions is really no problem for God, as they more often appear to us as issue, than they do for Him. Though we may be tricked by them in many ways, have thought and sight clouded often, be led by them into all manner of calamity on occasion, even develop whole of dispositions and outlooks based upon them, yet God remains unscathed and, in most cases…unmoved by our attentions to them.
No doubt to some this would seem to contradict a very dear truth that:
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
For surely this is true and precious. And God forbid any who would seek to undermine that reality. Yes, our Lord is touched by our weaknesses, even and especially in temptations. But, and no less, must we look to Him for navigation especially when feeling overcome in our own weaknesses that would otherwise tend to sin.
Yes, God loves, cherishes, and is unashamed to call us His own and even share His glory, (for He will not share it with an “other”) yet, He remains not indulgent of us. And we all should know (must know?) things “winked at” in times past due to our own darkness of understanding are all to be made clear in the present light of Christ. And no less should we suffer being taken advantage of as was made clear by our Lord’s refusal to partake in a pity party being catered through our brother, Peter.
Our Lord, God’s Christ, Jesus, knew the end prepared in His betrayal and sufferings was to life eternal…even for Peter, and likewise knew who was making appeal through him. And how often might a man be maneuvered to, in his sensing of feelings provoked, go to such lengths as would deny the very source of his establishment.
There was for Peter a place, as no less for us, prepared aforehand for accomplishment that would provide such mercy as was ordained to be accomplished in such a way. And no other way. And even though our Lord knew well (all to well) how such plan must appear to man, He remains, not merely undeterred…but in such address which, apart from God’s mercy, no man could bear in rebuke.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Shall we talk about having a swimming head? Terror(s)? Firmness?
Or what answer one might come up with to this “why” issued from Heaven? Or how long would be given for response?
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
(How long do I have to figure this out, Lord, this “why”?)
Short answer: Because I hate all attached to your name. (dare it be said…there?)
But that still does not sufficiently answer the why…for it only provokes another…and one we learn (f we have learned) our brother Paul was given time to consider and discover through revelations provided…as to that “why”…The why of why men hate that name. The feelings of hate, hatred, which overtake and move so many are quite secondary to matters far more fundamental, and to be discovered, uncovered for their nakedness to show their poverty.
Do any imagine the Lord did not know of Saul’s hatred for the name…before asking that “why”? He who was spoken of as: “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” Not unlike some vision of a dragon…spewing flames and choking smoke.
Yet, the Lord asks such a man, a man chosen to be asked, a man chosen…”why?”. And we know that Paul (once Saul) labored greatly in uncovering that why, displaying that why in its flimsiness against the truth of Christ, and even took to himself such reason for it, not by excuse, but in response to a mercy shown him through grace that upon it he stood:
“I was ignorant”.
How might any man be overtaken by such raging emotions of hatred that he be so blind? How might any emotions so take advantage?
Mostly, because if left un-checked (for they do and must, bear checking) like buttress we are convinced of “good reason” for them.
It is not the emotions themselves that are an issue (and certainly not for God toward us) but those matters upon which we find so called “reason” for them. The emotion springs up not without some provocation (though often taking advantage of ignorance) and so takes over through depth of feeling(s) that they become the most immediate and present thing to us. We “really” feel them. And this, because we sense as real are more assuring there is “good reason” for them. We are always inclined to believe (till disabused) that only truth spurs our emotions.
And so we have issues with, or even troubles and problems with understanding certain matters, especially as spoken by the Lord.
Again, this is not at all to say “naked” emotions have no place, for often they are used of God (who remains undeterred by them or their expression) to help enlighten us. Even such matters of, let us say “love and hate” get so confused to us as to how they are manifest in ignorance, to deceive us.
Especially in matters relating to “our own” of which the Lord spoke, and therefore has and had something to say. The Lord, our savior, is never without reason, even if, and when, we be. Therefore we find great comfort in “come let us reason together”…that our reason and reasoning be made sound.
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