Relating to Others Who Do Not Have a Revelation of Covenant

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

In Ephesians 4:2, we read, “…With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love.” We need to remember that, especially when working with those who are not in agreement with what we’re doing (standing for the healing and restoration of our marriages and families). You know what God has shown you in His Word. However, many of God’s people, His precious ones, have been taught and believe according to the traditions of men. Some of these traditions are contrary to what the Bible says.
 
2 Timothy 2:22 instructs us to “follow after righteousness, faith, charity, peace” (with whom?) “with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” We need to use discernment in deciding with whom and what to share. Verse 23 tells us to avoid the trap of striving over “foolish and unlearned questions,” as does 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 6:20, and 2 Timothy 2:14-16. Continuing with verse 24, “And the servant of the Lord” (you and me) “must not strive” (or argue scripture – I’ll touch on this later) “but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,” (check this out in verse 25) “In meekness” (not offense, pride, disgust or frustration) “instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance” (who gives repentance?) “to the acknowledging of the truth.” (why does God give repentance?) “And they” (not us) “may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
 
The word “repent” in this passage is the Greek word “metanoia,” which means to think differently, reconsider, make a reversal of the decision, repent (from Strong’s Concordance). In other words, the person has a revelation or “Rhema” or spoken Word from God that changes his or her thinking. God gives it. We don’t. We can’t. We can argue scripture or “logos” (written Word of God) until Jesus comes back, but until God speaks (Rhema) to that person, not much will be accomplished. It is important to note that if we operate according to verses 21-25, then God can work.
 
To put it another way, if we don’t operate according to verses 21-25, they will not be able to receive revelation or repentance from God. They will not be able to recover themselves out of the devil’s snare.
 
How do you walk with one who does not have a revelation of, let’s say, tithing or giving? As you walk out His faithfulness, they will ask you about it, opening the door for you to speak the Truth. You love on them and minister the Truth as they give you the authority to share with them. Remember that we are not another person’s Holy Ghost. But will you stop tithing because it will offend them or make them feel bad? Of course not.
 
This is similar to being asked to participate in (or be in agreement with) the remarriage of a divorced person to someone other than their covenant spouse. I suspect that none of us would agree with (or participate in) our spouse’s remarriage. We respectfully decline and share Truth in love when asked. We trust in God, not another person’s response.
 
2 Timothy 1:8 tells us not to be “ashamed of the testimony of the Lord.” Jesus Himself testifies six times that the act of remarriage to anyone other than a person’s covenant spouse is adultery (Mark 10:11-12, Luke 16:18, Matthew 19:9). Craig Hill has an excellent teaching on this in his books, Marriage, Covenant or Contract and Help! My Spouse Wants Out, as well as his message at the 2001 Australian CK Conference.
 
Getting back to 2 Timothy 1:8, sometimes as a result of not being ashamed of the Lord’s testimony, we get to be a “partaker of the afflictions of the gospel” but guess what – we partake “according to the power of God,” not our strength or ability to handle affliction. Verse 12 shows us we need not be ashamed of His testimony, but only “to know Whom we have believed, being persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him.“ (our reconciliation) Verse 14 talks of “that good thing” (our stand and family) that was committed unto us – which we are to “keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in you.” This is a supernatural walk. We can’t keep it, but the Holy Spirit can!
 
1 Timothy 4:12 tells us to be “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity in spirit, in faith, in purity.” We need to walk out His love, patience, and faithfulness as doers of the Word, not just mental assenters but also deceiving ourselves. (James 1:22)
 
We may suffer trouble, 2 Timothy 2:9 tells us, but the “word of God is not bound” and “it will not return void.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) Again we need not be ashamed of knowing the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and operating in the Truth. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 encourages us to continue to learn, be assured, trust His Word and grow.
 
So, to recap, if we walk with others according to 2 Timothy 2:22-25 (in humility, faith, and peace, not striving or arguing, etc.), then it opens the door for God to work (verse 25) and give revelation which will allow them to recover themselves out of the snare of the enemy.
 
Acts 28:24 shows us that some will get it, and some will not. The evening after Jesus rose from the dead, He visited the disciples but doubting Thomas was not there. John 20:25 tells us, “The other disciples, therefore, said unto him, we have seen the Lord. But he (Thomas) said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side. I will not believe.”
 
Be the one who stands so that they can see you and put their fingers into His prints in your life and believe there is an alternative to divorce. In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul again encourages Timothy to “keep that which is committed to thy trust.” God has entrusted you with your spouse and family, as well as your witness to the world and the Church about covenant, whether they agree with you or not.