Holy crap! ... (What a way to begin a devotion!) How does that flair up your "Edenic Judgement Virus"? Edenic Judgement Virus? Yep! Probably the most invasive, devastating, and deceitful ... open infection that was passed on from the Fall. This goes so far below the genetic level, as it worms its way into the very fibers of human DNA, and it is irreversible without irreparable damage...it must be taken to the point of death. Someone has to die for the cure.
When the temptation went out from the adversary "You shall be like god's having the potential to determine what is good and evil" ... This was the beginning of the end of innocence. What a temptation! So slick in its delivery, so true and yet so indescribably wrong for the "lower than Angels" fabric of man. Anyone of us (put into this situation of the first couple) would have grabbed this benefit of the eating of the forbidden "proof fruit" in a heartbeat; but the consequences of their decision was humanly irreversible, spiritually crippling and physically deadly at the least.
Here are a few of the symptoms of this deadly sub-genetic virus when if flairs up:
1. A desire to hate and separate from the personally offensive difference of others.
2. An attitude of judge, jury, and hangman when it comes to dealing with the offenses of others.
3. A distancing reaction that always telegraphs "hatefulness" to our brethren or strangers that need us.
4. Sees "loving the offender" as a disgusting weakness or character flaw.
5. An almost uncontainable and explosive intolerance of the "perceived" and obvious sins of others.
6. An incorrigible reluctance to forgive, disguised as the right of one offended to a justifiable bad attitude.
7. A total blindside of a personal need for forgiveness all the time, everywhere and everyone.
8. A constant paranoid "360 degree" perception of the judgmental attitudes of those better or "Holier".
9. The unquenchable desire to see "God do something to make THEM sorry". (and the list goes on...)
WE ALL ARE INFECTED!
Psalm 70: Vs. 1 - " [A psalm of David to bring to remembrance] Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD." (
Stop and let us read this entire Psalm and let it begin to control the effects of the virus -- Our enemy is not others. We may be our worst enemy and God is our only ... our ONLY ... Deliverer; NOT we, ourselves ... We are far too infected and infested with personal opinions to be effective in delivering ourselves, let alone... helping others without His Love ruling our heart, mind, spirit, and strength.)
"Vs. 2 - Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Vs. 3 - Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha,aha.
Vs. 4 - Let those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
Vs. 5 - But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying."
I felt alone at a table that was set for a banquet of LOVE,
Waiting, longing and anticipating comforting wonders from Above.
The royal place settings began to shuffle and move by excuse;
Filled now were "the invited" with suspicious pride, and plunder's viral abuse.
There was a hush of silent shame at what the moment had become,
A terrified gasp at the nails, the thorns and the blood of the Sacrificed One.
For what heinous crime was this horror now on for despicable display,
But to quench my sin held deep within, both black and white, and gray.
NOW, Eden's fallen, prideful scar bowed before Love's Crimson Seat
As family and friends forgave as one at the sight of the Lamb's pierced hands and feet.
JJR
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind, one to another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another ... even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. 4:31,32
HLFA,
Jeff