Taming the Jew – Part 2

Dear God,

We sat quietly for a while. Each waiting to approach a subject (mine – to address the oppressive gospel, and hers – whatever)
I took a sip of my water and just as I placed the glass back on the table, it tripped over and fell.
“Blood of Jesus”, our sister shouted making an attempt to catch the glass.
The liquid poured out anyways and tickled down on my dress.
I moved away from the place as Nonye’s house help came to help me dry the table and attempted to dry my dress.
“It’s okay sweetheart, cleaning the table is just fine, my dress will live, it’s water after all,” I said to her.
She volunteered to iron-dry it for me but I shook my head, insisting it was alright.
I was also impressed with her kindness, so I asked her name. She was relatively new to the house.
“Glory” she said, giving me a shy smile.
“Wow, nice name, I like your name, Glory and you seem to live up to it”, I smiled at her.
(She had a beautiful smile that lights up her face)
“Thank you Auntie, she blushed and giggled out, obviously pleased.
“Hmmm”, is it by name? The bible said in Matthew 7:21 that not all that call me Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven,” Sister Bridget hissed.
Fair enough Lord, I wouldn’t have had a problem with that if she didn’t add the hiss.
“Well I don’t see why you shouldn’t have a good name whether or not you are going to Heaven. And from where I stand, a person takes on the characteristics of whatever name he/she bears. So if her name is Glory, then Glory will follow her, whether she knows it or not,” I said, gently stirring up the pot.
“My sister, going to Heaven has a mandate………the bible says, be holy for I am holy for without holiness, no man can see God. That is what I have been trying to tell your friend Nonye …you should talk to her, so that her soul does not perish in ignorance……” she began
(I knew it)
“And what makes you think that? Why would her soul perish in ignorance?
“Aaah, The bible made it very clear how and why……John 3:5: “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
“And she is not?”
“By their fruits, you shall know them……..Can you not see the chaplet that girl is carrying up and down like a talisman”. Nonye accepts all manners of unbelievers in her house. Go to the fridge, it is filled with alcohol and every devices of the devil. I am not saying that she drinks them, but the bible says in Galatian 5:3, that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, she hissed…..
(It is this hiss and the puckered face for me)
“And where do I get this feeling that the voice is the voice is Jacob but the hand is that of Esau? I said, still very gently knowing I was going into deep waters.
“Blood of Jesus, What do you mean by that?
“For starters, I know that Nonye is not a winebibber, not because of religion or anything, but naturally, like me, alcohol affects her. So in wisdom, she stays away from it. And I know you know that. I also know you know that Nonye didn’t buy all that alcohol in the fridge. That your brother Mike, is an importer and exporter of every manner of drinks in this universe. Now, my question is, how then is the wine dimension on Nonye’s table? Or is your brother part of the unbelieving people she mingles with?” I asked sweetly
She was silent. She didn’t see that coming.
“The bible says that a wise woman builds her house…… It is her responsibility to pray salvation into her home,” she said.
“I agree with you, Nonye can stop her husband from loading the house with the devices of the devil, maybe even stop him from partaking from the device, the main question is, should your brother stop selling the devices of the devil? What do you think about that? Because he can’t stop using it then keep selling to other souls to perish, right?
Again, she kept quiet.
(Uncle Mike is very rich and generous. He has been in the wine business for years and has chains of stores and international partners in RSA, France and Italy from where he supplies across the globe. He is also the sole sponsor of Sister Bridget’s livelihood)
(I pressed on, moving the needle closer)
“I agree with you that a soul can perish in ignorance, that means, those that work in alcohol companies, sell it or even partake in its profit……the totally innocent but ignorant souls”, I added slyly.
“Is that why you would say that my voice is the voice of Jacob and hand of Esua?
(She went for an attack, but I wasn’t going to be derailed).
“It’s a metaphor. You know, I kinda had the same feeling of confusion that Isaac had in the bible when I was listening to you. I knew in my heart that you were telling the truth of the gospel, but the texture or touch was confusing for me. So what I hear was right, yet what I was feeling was wrong,” I explained gently.
“My sister, I firmly believe that the truth is what ultimately saves souls. It’s our duty to proclaim the word of God with conviction and clarity, regardless of how people might feel.” The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent can take it by force……”
“Totally agree, however, I can’t help but feel that there’s more to the gospel than just speaking the truth. Yes, the truth is essential, but if it’s not laced in love and compassion, I fear it might be deception. What does the bible say again about that……Though we speak…in ….
“In the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, we have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal,” she finished for me
I smiled.
“Yet, it is our responsibility to ensure people understand the consequences of their actions. We can’t sugar-coat the message of salvation. If we dilute the truth to be nice, we risk watering down the very essence of our faith,” she reasoned.
(Chai…serious Scripture Union convert….they never let go of the fire and brimestone gospel. I was bent on showing her the gospel of Grace. At least, she wasn’t hissing anymore….)
“I agree that people need to understand the gravity of their choices, absolutely. However, think about it this way – What would Jesus do? When He walked the earth, he didn’t just preach the truth; he embodied love in every interaction. He showed compassion to the sinners, forgiveness to the broken, and acceptance to the outcasts. It was his love that ultimately drew people to him. It was the things he did and how he did it that drew them not just the words. His actions spoke louder than his words!” I explained further.
“Well Yes. That’s a fact. But that was then, in today’s world, don’t you think there’s a danger in prioritizing being nice over truth? Why should we compromise on the principles of our faith just to make people feel comfortable with it?”
“I’m not suggesting we compromise on the truth, Heaven forbid. What I’m advocating for is a balance – a balance between speaking the truth boldly and showing love or being nice unconditionally. People are more likely to listen to what we have to say if they feel valued and respected no matter their status, rather than judged and condemned.”
She was quiet again.
(I noticed that she has not quoted any judgement-based bible verses for some time and was reasoning it out more)
I took that as a cue….
“There is a verse in the bible I love so much, I mused, It talks about the fact that you have a God-given right to eat meat, however, if eating the meat will offend your brother, it is best to leave the meat alone….
“1 Corinthians 8:13”, she supplied for me
“Exactly, thanks dear. I am just asking us to look at things from a different perspective. You talked about knowing a true Christian by their fruits, right? And what are these fruits?
““The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Galatians 5:22-23”, she supplied again.
“Thank You”
“Hmmm, my sister. There is truth in your words and good texture in your touch (according to you).
We laughed.
“I am just saying, give people the benefit of a doubt, assume good intentions always, and approach people with love and respect. Do not conclude on anyone until you live in their shoes….and when you finally decide, do it with love,” I smiled.
“Even unbelievers?” she countered slyly
“We were all unbelievers before we became believers, remember…..while we were yet sinners…, I began….
“Christ died for the ungodly……, she concluded.
“Gbam” I agreed.
“Perhaps there’s room for both truth and tolerance in our approach. After all, if our ultimate goal is to lead people to salvation, then we must live by example – speaking the truth in love.” She reasoned.
“Gbam”, I agreed again.
“There is truth in your words, though the truth is very bitter, there is no way you speak it that the offended will like it, my sister,” she insisted with a little puckered face.
(This woman is tough shaa)
“I know, especially for us in Africa that if something is not bitter, strong or difficult, it is not important or appreciated. Soft and easy is questionable. Yet, God’s love is soft and easy. Just Belief.”
“Aaah, my dear….It is not always easy, because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there are that find it. We keep working out our salvation with fear and trembling, she said flapping her legs.
(Chai – Fear and trembling again? Who are we afraid of?)
(Awkward Silence)
We continue to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will be done…., she said matter-of-factly
“Even our prayers are hard……..Die, die, die…..” I began
She looked at me strange and I quickly shut my mouth.
I have said enough for the meantime.
This is your daughter, Lord, we are still on this matter, but I am checking in.