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"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)

I've  always loved this verse.
"Behold, "

Like a flare in the night sky. The Creator of the universe, the One who spoke it into existence with less effort than it takes you to breath the air He's given you... is about to say something important.

We' would do well to listen.
"I am sending you out as sheep"

Okay, I was raised in the bible belt, we're sheep and Jesus loves the sheep. I got it. Well, do I?
A couple things about sheep. They aren't smart or graceful.
The shepherd doesn't need them... they need him.

Put that on your coffee cup.

I know this isn't a popular idea in most circles but God isn't under the impression that you've got something to offer. He's not in need of you. See, this doesn't make any sense if you think love is this compelling force that simply cannot be denied (as per the Roman mythology perpetuated by Hollywood glamor).

Love, in the biblical sense, is very simply a choice.

 Jesus Christ chose to come, live, and die for a people who aren't the smartest or most graceful. He didn't come to save the best, He came to save train wrecks. This, too, makes perfect sense if you understand the reason God does everything He does. Its as clear as it is simple.

So we're sheep... and thats not an awesome thing. Okay but we have our shepherd.

" in the midst of wolves,"

Wait, what?! this reminds me of when Jesus tells peter "Satan asked me for permission to sift you like wheat..."

I could just imagine Peter thinking "aaand you told him to cram it right?" but Jesus just looks Peter in the eye and says "I'll pray for you". (Luke 22:31-32)

Talk about being thrown to the wolves but here's the thing... Jesus didn't save peter from the wolf's bite. He gave peter those scars because Peter needed them.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

", so be"

This means "because of what I've just told you be like what I'm about to tell you"

"wise as serpents"

That seems odd. Serpents are often depicted as being crafty even to the point of being downright evil but Jesus is telling  us to BE like them. In what way? With respect to wisdom. This is ALSO good!
Contrary to popular belief Christians are COMMANDED to not be gullible. Jesus is flat out telling every person whom He has plucked from this corrupt and fallen world that we are behind enemy lines so we need to be wise in what we do because the danger is real. Very real.

" and innocent as doves."

But don't forget. We aren't serpents. We aren't just clever. We aren't supposed to be out for our own good. We aren't ever to turn our back on one command form our Lord in order to keep another.

No, we are to be... innocent as doves.

This doesn’t mean we have to obey God’s law “or else”. That’s not how this grace thing works.

Here’s the big picture. God chooses us and gives those whom He has chosen new hearts (Ezekial 36:26-27)  and as an outflow of this we will want to honor Him. Clumsily, imperfectly, but after a while crawling becomes walking and walking becomes running but ever progress for all of creation to bask in the redeeming power of our Wonderful Counselor, Lord and Savior, Redeemer, Protector, and High Priest Jesus Christ.

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