The Two-Edged Sword
There was a man whom God had given His call to full-time ministry. The Lord blessed him with boldness, a charismatic personality and a considerable understanding of the armor of God.Of the pieces of God’s armor, this man loved the sword most. It was an offensive piece, one that he greatly enjoyed. He asked God to increase his talent and soon the man was able to wield it more skillfully than almost everyone in his part of the land. People came from miles around to see his amazing and skillful use of the sword. You see, everyone had a sword, but very few could use it like this man. Everyone was inspired to see all that could be done with the sword and many were encouraged to perfect their own skill.
He was able to move the sword so quickly and precisely that he could sever the rope bonds on a man’s hands faster than the eye could see and not injure the flesh. He could throw the sword with the precision of an arrow flung by the greatest marksman. In any situation or test, this man could out-maneuver and hit the target quicker than any opponent who came to test him. He soon took on a name, the Man of the Sword.
As time went on, the Man of the Sword became pleased that his unique skill had acquired him many followers. He felt all should learn how to use their sword the best they could. But soon, there arose in his heart a root that came from a seed that had never been removed. This seed was Pride. He began to look at how many people followed him, complimented him, and sacrificed their time and resources to be with him and learn from him. He listened to Pride tell him that no one was like him, that God had gifted him like no one else, and that he was more skilled at using the sword than everyone in the land. Soon, he believed those words that Pride spoke to him.
One day, a man also skilled with the sword came from a far-away country to see the famous Man of the Sword. He wanted to be-friend him and share the extra-ordinary knowledge and skill he himself had of the sword. This way, perhaps the two of them combined would form a mightier force than if they were alone.
The Man of the Sword gladly received the visitor. They quickly became friends, greatly enjoying each other’s emphasis on the importance of skillfully using the sword. One day the two men decided to have some fun and spar with each other. For once, these two men could have a match with someone of equal skill, thus presenting a very real challenge. The match was very enjoyable for the participants as well as the audience that came to watch. Near the end of the allotted time, the visitor made a move with his sword in a manner foreign to the Man of the Sword. At first he was startled and immediately took a defensive position. Then Pride spoke to him and said, “This is not a move that you have used, and since you are the greatest among men, you cannot allow this to happen again. You must declare this an illegal move, otherwise you will lose your status among men.” Thinking about what Pride said, the Man of the Sword decided to make his point by cutting the visitor’s flesh.
The visitor and the audience were shocked. How could the Man of the Sword so purposely injure his friend? Immediately, the visitor ended the match and demanded an explanation.
The Man of the Sword boldly and confidently explained that the method in which he used his sword was not legal, thus placing him in a jeopardous position. The visitor adamantly defended his move as legal, but the Man of the Sword would not listen. So, the visitor left, as did many of those that witnessed the match.
The Man of the Sword stood, looking at those that remained and asked, “Will you also go away?” A few more people left. To those that remained, he said, “You have seen a man come here as a friend, spar with me as a friend, but you have seen that he was actually an enemy come to destroy me. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He deceived those that have departed by his words and actions.” Fearing that more of his followers would leave so easily if something like this happened again, he continued, “Do not seek company with nor speak to those that have left. They have compromised with the enemy and will do you no good.”
These words caused many to fear and others to feel more privileged to remain in the company of the Man of the Sword. The people began to rely on him more and more to set the standard for the proper use of the sword and the proper action to take when the sword was used in a manner not approved of by him.
Other great swordsmen from afar came to be-friend the Man of the Sword, but were rejected by him or they left because he wounded them.
As the years went by, the Lord raised up other men that He blessed with the skill of using the sword. But these new swordsmen greatly desired that all men would be as skilled as, if not more than, they were. Their desire was to teach all men how to increase their own skills and in turn, to give their time to teach others. They had a heart to give to all men.
The population of the city grew over the years, and yet, the Man of the Sword did not gain any more followers. Those that stayed with him were continually told of the weaknesses of the other swordsmen and that they are not worth following. From the inside, they saw themselves as the choice and perfect people in the methods of the sword. From the outside though, they were seen as an unapproachable group that valued their use of the sword higher than the souls of men.
One day, the Creator of the Sword came to see what His appointed men had done with His Sword.
He first gathered the last of the swordsmen that he placed on the earth and asked how they fared with the talent He gave them. They all gave very similar fruits of their labors: multitudes of men were now skilled at using the sword and were teaching others to apply the sword to set other men free. This pleased the Creator and great rewards and riches were bestowed on these men.
The Creator then asked the man called the Man of the Sword how he fared. “I have learned how to use the sword more skillfully than all men and I have men that follow me and keep my pure ways of the sword”, was his reply. “I have kept most of those that came to me and protected them from the enemy.”
The Creator said, “Why have you lifted yourself above all men? I alone was lifted up so that I could draw all men unto Me. Why have you thought in your heart that you hold the keys to all the mysteries of the sword? Behold, I created the sword. I alone know all the mysteries, for I created the mysteries. I have placed keys to my mysteries in the hearts of many men so that all may need each other equally. Why have you used the sword unlawfully and injured My servants whom I sent to you, to correct you? You have not only injured Me, but you have injured yourself. You have not spoken against them, but spoken against Me. Why did you not give to others as I gave to you? You are an unprofitable servant. For without Love, all that you did, profited you nothing.”
posted by looneymouse @ 1:28 PM
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