A big problem for me is loving others as Christ loves me. I often find myself quick to see other peoples faults or I am quick to judge others when they live a life different from my standard of living. The problem with that is I am not the standard. I must remember God is the standard, and when looking to Him I fall short of His standard. Romans tells us all humans fall short of God's standard. To commit one sin is to fall short of God's holy and perfect standard. When holding my life up to that, it makes it hard to hold others up against me when I know I fall short!
The good news is that the Lord Jesus has given me new light on how this does not please or honor Him. I want to be different, I want to be the salt of the earth and a light in this world. My prayer is that the Lord would continue to make me more radical in my love for others. And also make me more dependant of Him! I can't do it. Loving others is hard, and I will only fail doing it in my strength! I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I have faith Jesus will grow my love for others and teach me how to love them.
My heart has had a change of direction over the last month or so. I had the privilege of hearing God's Word preached from Romans 13-14. It was the Iantern teaching, and God used his sermons to stir my heart to love others in a Christlike way. I now am not quick to look for faults in others and judge them for there actions. Instead I want to pray for them and accept them because they are God's creation and made in His image. Christian or not, God calls mankind to the high calling of loving others, even our enemies!
The exciting thing is that I know that God is working in hearts and I trust Him, that He will complete the work He starts in the hearts of man. I don't need to worry about it, and why would I waste time doing that. My friend reminded me I can't change hearts. God changes hearts! I know sometimes I wish I could, but again God is working in His time. I just need to have faith in His work.
And trusting God to do the work, and just looking for ways to love others helps me to look out for others best interest. This means I won't be laying any stumbling blocks in front of them. One way I used to do this was by arguing over Scripture and get upset trying to prove my point. That is an ugly way of trying to build up and make disciples. That just makes drama. The family and friends in my life didn't feel the love of Christ through my actions or words. It did more worse for God's kingdom and my testimony then good. But by God's grace, He is teaching me His ways and I am thankful for that.
God calls me to love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Then He calls me to love others as myself. If I get it wrong with the vertical then I will have it wrong with the horizontal. So in order to love others I must first make sure my heart is right with God. That is why I live my life in pursuit of Him. He will make my paths straight! Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Live for the King....there is no other way!
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1 comments:
Welcome back:)
God is good to wok in and through any of us. What a patient Father. Remembering our own frailty and sinfulness is definitely helpful in being longsuffering with others.
The Pharisees set up all the barriers to entry they could, and Jesus was not happy with them. We need to try to open the door as wide as possible by showing love and the change He can make.
When we are different that is when He is most glorified through us. We can't shine brightly when we are all stained from the world.
Keep on my sweet brother. God is working.
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