Manipulation. It is near impossible to avoid it in preaching the Gospel. There is a tension between us sincerely and dearly trying to love our neighbors by preaching the Gospel to them (whether it's by word of mouth, giving Gospel tracks, dragging them to fellowship) and them dearly trying to not accept it. That is why we still aren't reaching the people in the United States even though there is basically a church on every block...kinda.

Therefore there are really only two ways of revealing the Gospel to onlookers without manipulation: loving one another in the church (John 13:35), and through the sacrifices and sustaining of the covenant/testimony of marriage, which is an analogy of Christ and the Church.

That is why unity within the Church is so important. Paul recognized this and that's why he wrote the entire book of Ephesians. Only only has to look at Ephesians 4 for it to hit home. One body. One faith. One Spirit. One God. Yes there different ministries and an allocation of different gifts. Do not be jealous of one another. All have a purpose and all need to be sustained by the rest of the Body. This is spiritual physiology guys. If you have spiritual imbalance, the entire Body is going to collapse. Homeostasis!

The point is this: loving others is hard. Loving all the time in a selfless manner is literally impossible. The world knows this. People know this. Everyone knows this. That is why people give up on it, because its impossible. But for Christians, we know that we are too weak, that's why we call upon the strength of the Lord through Holy Spirit in faith. With God's strength, we can do the impossible. That's where Philippians 4:13 comes in. So when the world sees us doing the impossible, they are going to be like "holy moley, how are they doing that? How are they selflessness loving their wife in that fashion? How are they giving up dreams and goals and laying down their lives for one another? I want in on that!" They see something so unnatural, unearthly, supernatural, and beautiful, they cannot help but be shaken. Sure there is no guarantee they will turn their face to God, but they will be shaken.

That is why we need love and unity in the Church. I know it is so hard to reconcile Truth and Love, and I don't know where to draw the line on that still, but we are called to die to ourselves. Same with suffering, especially unjust suffering where others take advantage of your kindness or abuse you for being loving. But we face these things not without hope. Jesus lives! Like they say, a Christian who has fallen as a kernel in to the dirt who refuses to die, is the most miserable being in existence. Surrender, and you will be set free!

1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

(Love must come from the heart, probably through obedience)

1 Peter 2:12  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 

(We are living testimonies for the Gospel)

1 Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

(As Christians we are to be respectable and honoring to worldly governments)

1 Peter 2:19-21 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

(When we suffer unjustly, it brings glory to God)

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

(This is how we die to ourselves to love others. This is what we need to give up)

1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

(People aren't likely to harm you for doing good, but there isn't fear in suffering either)

1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

(When people ask why you live as a Christian, doing good without receiving any rewards, be sure to tell them about Jesus Christ)

1 Peter 4:3-5 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

(When you live apart from the world, they will notice and ask, and they might hate you for it)

1 Peter 4:8-11 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

(When we serve or do anything for one another, it is with God's strength)

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

(When we are persecuted, we will be blessed. "Oh now I know how Jesus feels")

1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

(When we suffer, it should remind us who we are as Christians)

1 Peter 3:18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

(It is hard for a Christian to be a Christian (to love), but it is impossible otherwise)

1 Peter 5:10-11 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

(God will strengthen us through our suffering. That is probably why He gave us suffering in the first place)

(somehow this became a 1 Peter study...)

 Remember: Suffering (for Christ) is NOT optional 

There can not be any coincidence...both episodes (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso ep 6 and Naruto ep 386) pointed to the exact same thing. Damn the feels. I'm not in any 3 way triangle am I?

Who cares about music. Who cares about words. We have the long, long time that we've spent together, and we have so many tiny, precious memories.

In both episodes...memories are the source of strength. One of simple friendship and love. The other the paramount battle between good and evil, which hinges on the phrase don't hide your wounds, I am always watching you. The reasons to save the world. The reasons to destroy it.

What about my own memories? Do they empower me? Or do they lead me into bitterness?

My parents danced together, her head on his chest. Both
had their eyes closed. They seemed so perfectly content. If
you can find someone like that, someone who you can hold
and close your eyes to the world with, then you’re lucky.
Even if it only lasts for a minute or a day. The image of them
gently swaying to the music is how I picture love in my mind
even after all these years.

I hope they spent those last few hours well. I hope they
didn’t waste them on mindless tasks: kindling the evening
fire and cutting vegetables for dinner. I hope they sang
together, as they so often did. I hope they retired to our
wagon and spent time in each other’s arms. I hope they lay
near each other afterward and spoke softly of small things. I
hope they were together, busy with loving each other, until
the end came.

I hope one day my wife and I can be like this. Being at peace with each other. Learning to love one another despite our weaknesses and flaws and ability to change like the wind.

To dance. To Sing. To say sweet nothings to one another. To lay near each other until eternal rest comes do us apart.

"God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.” -Jonathan Edwards

Yessss great minds think alike aka if it is the truth then it will be revealed time and time again throughout history, since it is constant.
 

I don't know why...but just now I remembered a picture I once saw on the internet. It showed a (asian) dad who was well dressed and was sitting at the end of a table full of delicious and expensive looking food. Alone. His head was resting on his hands while he remembers the past where he and his wife and young boy sat around a small table eating instant ramen. They were all smiling and laughing.

I don't ever want to be like that man.

I feel like I am going down the path towards that end.

I wonder how I can make this Biblical...

FOUND IT!