John 4:27 – Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
Jesus did not set out to break rules, He set out to keep God’s rules. Jesus’ greatest desire was to do the will of God. If that stepped on the toes of men, then He would say “so be it!” (Matthew 21:12-17) If Jesus was concerned about keeping the traditions of men He would have never talked to the Samaritan woman. But Jesus would reveal to His disciples that what sustained Him was to do the will of His Father. He was more concerned about the spiritual than the physical. He did not neglect the physical, but His concern was more with the eternal rather than the temporal. Both important, but the spiritual and eternal were what was most important. So He spoke to the woman, she came to understand, and she gleefully rushed to share that she had come to know the Messiah. That is the same reaction for all those who truly know Him. She left aside her insecurities to tell all who would listen that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus was most important and she would to light the way to Him. It should be the same for all of us. What is most important is not whether or not we think ourselves “gifted” to be His witness but rather to obey His will and to let the love and joy of Him in our hearts flow to irrigate the dry hearts of those who do not know Him. Jesus first, then our neighbors, then ourselves. (Mark 12:29-31; Philippians 2:4) It is what Jesus modeled. (Philippians 2:5-8)
Once, when I was a young man, there was a beautiful woman who worked in the same area that I did. It was a large company with, as I remember, over fifty thousand employees just in the facilities I worked in. This woman, had a bad reputation among the men. Her and I casually knew each other and exchanged greetings when we came across each other. I was already married and known to be a Christian so I purposely, because of her reputation, kept our conversations cordial. Not unfriendly, just cordial, for appearances sake. One Monday the Lord clearly let me know that she was looking for Him. He wanted me to talk to her about Him. I am ashamed to say that while I did not say “no” to Him, I did, in actions, resist. I did not want others to think that I was trying to have an inappropriate relationship with her so I greeted her warmly but did not think spending time talking to her in front of peering eyes would be best. The Lord gave me plenty of opportunity and reminders to obey, but I did not. The week passed. Then, after the weekend, she excitedly ran up to me on Monday, threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I was aghast. She then told me that she was so happy because she went to church over the weekend and she learned about Jesus and she was just so happy. I felt some shame that I had not talked to her as the Lord had directed me to, but mostly I just felt relief at the news and was very happy for her. I asked her where she had visited. My heart fell and dread came over me. She had visited a known cult. She had been invited by one who attended there. He had done his master’s will while I had not done mine. I quickly explained that while they talked about Jesus they had no idea who He really was. I told her she needn’t come to the church I attended, but I could help her find a real church of Christ. She was hurt by what I was saying. Her joy turned to sadness. That night she talked to an elder of that church who told her to keep away from me, to not listen to me, and that is what she began to do. To this day, some forty years later, I still remember the sad ramifications of my disobedience. However, I learned. To not speak to her was what I had been taught the traditions of men. The teaching had wisdom, was well intended, but was only sound advice and not “Gospel.” It is better to heed the Holy Spirit than the traditions of mankind, no matter what good intention the tradition was started. The Jews were filled with many well intentioned traditions but Jesus often said then to them “you have heard it said…but I say unto you.” (Matthew 5:21-48) Know God’s Word, heed His Spirit.
Family and Friends, know and do the Word of God. Listen to the teaching and guiding of the Spirit. Consider the good traditions of men, but know the difference. Good advice from men, I’m not referring to lessons from the Word or the Spirit’s teachings, is good to apply to our lives as they also can keep us from trouble. However know the difference between what God has given us and what men have given us. The Word and the leading of the Spirit is sacrosanct. Not so the words of men. Now, if the Lord tells me to talk to someone, I talk to them, man or woman. To women, in a public setting. The warnings are sound, rightly applied, and never to precede the Word and Spirit of God. Keep our hearts pure. Know them. Run away if we need to and do the will of God. (1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:14; 2 Timothy 2:22, 6:11, Genesis 39:12) Always be pray. Honestly evaluate yourself. The will of the Lord will prevail if we keep Him first and ourselves second. Our actions and words should be to praise of God. Praise God! Always praise God in word and action. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.