Thank you for making that clarification, honestly when I hear the term Conservative I identify with that, when others may label me Liberal (one reason I don't care for labels) I am Conservative in reference to the Bible Truths, the traditional values that it teaches, the love that Jesus taught empowers me to tolerate the sins of others without persecuting them. I keep in mind ALWAYS that I was a sinner, and I'm saved by grace, that same grace can save anyone else. I will not compromise my beliefs, but I will also not exalt myself over those that out of the knowledge of God.
Matt. 23:12 states "and whomsoever shall exalt himself shall be abased ; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted"
Thank you for that scripture about exalting one's self and being abased.
There is also our lord who was abased by others, not himself, he was sufficiently humble and loving, to the end. Even in his words directed at the Roman occupied Jewish sect in authority at the time. I don't think they might have seen it as loving. "Brood of vipers" and such, angry in the temple. What they loved was the law, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, conspiring against God and his followers.
God also loved the law, and hoped to forgive his children and gave us direction for that in scripture. He desires not punishment of the law, but mercy, forgiveness, and the salvation of mankind. The fall destroyed all via the law I think. Saved by faith thru the Grace of God, many offerings of good works too. Helping God, his people here on earth. We can ask for faith. Faith is one of the gifts of his spirit. Sometimes, maybe, we only need to ask, show up for service and be a helper.
There is humbling ones self or humbling others. Tearing people down and mocking or shaming them, which they did to Jesus and his followers as a brute bully force. Seeking to destroy him and his following. So they could retain power over the rest of Israel with the help of Roman enforcers.
In the sight and ability to see one's self and others around us. And ability to compare ourselves to others or others to ourselves, jealousy, hunger, poverty, rights and all manner of thoughts arise.
Psychotic and psychosis is a term used for blind to self and/or surroundings, including others. But might be good at comparing none the less. Jealousy, envy, strife.
The mote and beam, hypocrisy and a thing called psychology which is aimed in any direction when two sides develop, good and evil. Does the only good know the evil or understand it, and vice versa. No, Jesus has said of some, "I know thee not". That is found in the sheep and goats parable as other areas.
On the good side we have a diversity of Christian denominations, leading to one true God. Works take effort like a mountain climb with a north star light from God on top. Helping proclaim, baptise and bring Christ to earths farthest reaches.
On the evil side, any false belief. All leading away from God in any direction. Lazy and downward, like water in gravity, or lightning taking the path of least resistance. I like to relax, and there is a time for that and also time for effort.
God enjoys children of the truth, those learned in gifts of knowledge called sciences and God's kingdom and ways. Other truths than sciences too. He calls them children of the light.
Cheers.
Devin
