High Expectations Without Judgment

The title and subject matter for this entry came from a co-worker having the audacity to ask me, "I don't
know why you expect something different just because they say they are Christian." I try not to answer people that leave me dumbfounded especially when they profess that we believe in the same God.

Let me try to put this in perspective to understand why it is necessary for the purposes of living a single Christian life whether for the purposes of marriage or not. My career is culminated around and smack in the middle of Human Service Professional. This stems from Youth Specialist to Domestic Violence Social Worker, to a Director of a Learning Center and everything in between from the geriatric community to mental wellness of a child. How I treated each and every person initiated from what each person told me about themselves coupled with the answers to my questions. If the person didn't have the same belief system as myself, we tackled their issues one way; but if they could tell me of the goodness of God (without breaking into hymnals), we had a different route to take and a specific way to get there. Most times the road was rocky, but once there, Peace took the reins and my job was giving the person resources to stay on that path. It is absolutely satisfying and the reason I have been in this field for this many years.

However, there are the ones that believe waffling on the fence is going to get them where they need to go especially when they tell me some craziness that they grew up in the church or have been raised by parents in the ministry (Revelation 3:15-18 AMP). Dumbfounded is not the word I would use. Hearing all of the stories there are, is not something I've said. I know I have heard more than I ever wanted to know about how those calling themselves believers gamble with the lives that God has blessed them with. From having children with multiple people unapologetically to substance abuse but still believe that giving advice and not taking correction is alright because God is not through with that person yet? So am I being judgmental or are my expectations too high?

"Yes, because we all fall short of the glory of God. After all, look at Sampson, David, 

John the Baptist, and Paul."

Alright, let's go there. Sampson was given directives, like all Orthodox Jews. But Sampson wanted to do what he wanted. He ate honey from the carcass of an animal and took it home for his parents to eat as well. For Orthodox Jews, it would have been considered unclean. Sampson knew this. He was also given a gift and was told not to tell anyone. Delilah hounded Sampson until he finally told her the truth. Understand, he had been lying all of that time. Who is the father of all lies? It wasn't until all was taken from him did he humble himself and turn to the Father for mercy and help (Judges 13-16 AMP). 

David was considered the apple of God's eye. Seriously, tell me something like that and I might... never mind. Anyway, while having been made the king, he sat on the roof. Why? Of all places for that man to sit to be still he chose the roof. David is a king. He lives in a palace! He couldn't have peace in any of the rooms of that palace? He chose the roof that gave him the perfect view of watching another man's wife bathe. How is it that Bathesheba didn't know she was being watched? Nevertheless, he called for her when he knew her husband would be fighting for their country. David committed adultery and then made sure her husband was on the front line to die. David married Bathesheba to have their child together. The child died. Why do you think that happened (2 Samuel 11:1-26 AMP)?

John the Baptist, knew of Jesus when in the womb. They leapt in the bellies of their perspective mothers. As John continued to work in the ministry, he knew there would be times that were not going to be as pleasant as others. He then became impatient because he was taken and put in jail. He called for Jesus to come and get him out of jail. When the wait was longer than John expected, he could have said anything else other than what he said. Jesus got the notice about John's beheading. Why isn't this sermon taught about watching the words that come out of our mouths in correlation to God's mercy on our souls for the things we have said (Luke 7:18-20 and Luke 9:1-9 AMP)?

Last but not least, Paul. Reading about Paul, who made him the avenger for Jesus? He decided to kill Jews because of our Lord's crucifixion? When Jesus came and asked Paul, why are you persecuting me, Paul said he would stop. Ok, he stopped killing people right and left. Wasn't Paul educated on the 10 Commandments? Why did he think he was exempt from following them? But back to persecuting God's people. The scriptures say not to argue over the Word, yet we see over and over again with Paul doing just that. We also see where God gives him direction and tells where not to go. Paul takes the initial direction and when he completed the task, goes right where God told him not to. Would there be any consequences for this? Paul speaks of a thorn in his side. What it is? It has not been made clear to me, yet would it seem pleasant? When is a thorn ever a pleasant thing? 

How much do we overlook when dating? A man has children with one woman but marries another. He professes Christianity the whole time. What's wrong with this picture? What questions do you ask? Is he speaking by faith or has he actually been living an exemplary life?

A man finally gets his life together after he has had 10 years of drinking, doing drugs, and having sex with various women. He was so pleased with himself by maintaining a job, able to pay his own bills, and purchasing a car, he decides to vacate his sobriety just to have a little fun. The car is smashed beyond repair. The man is seriously injured. Having to go through a number of surgeries including physical therapy to become mobile again, he starts evaluating his life. Laying in the hospital bed recouping from his injuries he asks himself, why hasn't anyone come see about him? No family, no co-workers, friends, - no one. Should this be his question? Should that be his number one concern?

A woman having a prominent position in ministry yet when preparing for work outside of the church Monday through Friday, says she gets prepared as if there might be an actual fight. The woman ties her hair up and wear shorts under her dresses. The woman is middle aged raising children of her own. Knowing that we not wrestle against flesh and blood, how does this woman walk on a daily basis?

We all fall short of the glory of God because of immaturity, ignorance, or just forgetting that the old habits have passed away behold all things become anew. Once we gain this understanding, we are tested on whether to use the new thing to be more like Him, or rely on the old man? Having high expectations is knowing that the old man is doing nothing for our health and welfare. Having high expectations is  putting on the new man and walking in it daily. Having high expectations is walking in the Spirit knowing that the flesh wars with it.  That "old man" should have been crucified daily. He works for that enemy who is focused on our destruction (John 10:10 AMP). The assumption is that everyone professing to be a believer of our Lord and Savior is aware of the old man and his devices. Is it safe to assume this, or should we still be waiting for fruit that should have long been manifested by now (Luke 6:44 AMP)? Selah.