All God's Children
This world breaks my heart. The hurt that we direct towards one another honestly grieves me. I don't say that lightly. IT GRIEVES ME.
Whether or not someone, anyone, agrees with us has nothing to do with how we are to treat them. Not if we live in God's word. To love one another was not a suggestion, but a commandment. Upon the cross, beaten and flesh torn from His body, He still loved those who had done this to Him. It was for them that He went through it all, and it was for them He died. Not that first time did He raise a hand against them, not once did He degrade them. He spoke His Father's word to them, He shared the Truth with them, and out of love He died for them.
Often times we, as believers, remind me of siblings that fight, hurt each other and call each other names out of momentary anger, rage and childish behavior. I think of my own children when they were younger (who am I kidding, even as teens they still have their moments) when they battle each other, how it disturbs me. How much more it must grieve our heavenly Father when we go up against one another, and to make matters worse, we do it in His name.
Do I believe that we are to turn our heads when there is wrong being done? No. Do I believe that we turn a blind eye when one of our brother or sisters in Christ are on a dangerous path? No. I'd not watch my sister walk in front of a bus without warning her. But if my sister were so use to hearing me yell at her, when I yelled at her to save her, she'd not hear me. It's when she is use to hearing a loving voice, that when my voice is raised and unsettling that she pays notice to my warning. Instruct, warn, even rebuke in love. If we live our life in God's Word, we will do all things in love. Show the same grace to others that God has shown you.
Short story. Many years ago, when I'd just became a Christian and delivered from a 13 year addiction, God told me to move from Indianapolis, Indiana to Dallas, Texas. Not like moving across the street, and I didn't want to do it. After several months of God dealing with me, and my knowing I was out of His will, I took a vacation to Dallas with a friend to 'test the water'. I was offered a job in Dallas, and knew that it wasn't a coincidence...but it was so hot and the traffic was a nightmare. I turned the job down and went back to Indiana. I had two strangers I'd never met before, individually at different times, and ever so kindly, approach me and told me that God had told them to tell me I was not in His will, that He had a plan for me and I needed to be obedient. I sold or gave away every single thing I owned except for a lamp, a pillow and an outdoor lounger, put them in my little Subaru with my dog and two cats and headed to Dallas. I hired an apartment locater service and had an efficiency waiting for me. When I got to Dallas I had $13.00 left in my pocket. I didn't know anyone. I found a job waiting tables the next day and since I was experienced at it, I was making tips that first day. Good tips. Within a month I was enrolled in a Bible College and within another two months I met (at the Bible College) and married my husband. We were married 22 years and have two of the most incredibly precious teenage sons.
If those strangers had not been faithful and confronted me, rebuked me in love, I'd not have left my comfort zone in Indiana and committed myself to being faithful to what I knew was true. It took those strangers to get me back on that narrow road. We are here to lift up one another.
I encourage you all, in HIS love, to love one another and treat one another with loving ways.
God bless you and may you all be sensitive to the leading and guiding of His Holy Spirit.
Whether or not someone, anyone, agrees with us has nothing to do with how we are to treat them. Not if we live in God's word. To love one another was not a suggestion, but a commandment. Upon the cross, beaten and flesh torn from His body, He still loved those who had done this to Him. It was for them that He went through it all, and it was for them He died. Not that first time did He raise a hand against them, not once did He degrade them. He spoke His Father's word to them, He shared the Truth with them, and out of love He died for them.
Often times we, as believers, remind me of siblings that fight, hurt each other and call each other names out of momentary anger, rage and childish behavior. I think of my own children when they were younger (who am I kidding, even as teens they still have their moments) when they battle each other, how it disturbs me. How much more it must grieve our heavenly Father when we go up against one another, and to make matters worse, we do it in His name.
Do I believe that we are to turn our heads when there is wrong being done? No. Do I believe that we turn a blind eye when one of our brother or sisters in Christ are on a dangerous path? No. I'd not watch my sister walk in front of a bus without warning her. But if my sister were so use to hearing me yell at her, when I yelled at her to save her, she'd not hear me. It's when she is use to hearing a loving voice, that when my voice is raised and unsettling that she pays notice to my warning. Instruct, warn, even rebuke in love. If we live our life in God's Word, we will do all things in love. Show the same grace to others that God has shown you.
Short story. Many years ago, when I'd just became a Christian and delivered from a 13 year addiction, God told me to move from Indianapolis, Indiana to Dallas, Texas. Not like moving across the street, and I didn't want to do it. After several months of God dealing with me, and my knowing I was out of His will, I took a vacation to Dallas with a friend to 'test the water'. I was offered a job in Dallas, and knew that it wasn't a coincidence...but it was so hot and the traffic was a nightmare. I turned the job down and went back to Indiana. I had two strangers I'd never met before, individually at different times, and ever so kindly, approach me and told me that God had told them to tell me I was not in His will, that He had a plan for me and I needed to be obedient. I sold or gave away every single thing I owned except for a lamp, a pillow and an outdoor lounger, put them in my little Subaru with my dog and two cats and headed to Dallas. I hired an apartment locater service and had an efficiency waiting for me. When I got to Dallas I had $13.00 left in my pocket. I didn't know anyone. I found a job waiting tables the next day and since I was experienced at it, I was making tips that first day. Good tips. Within a month I was enrolled in a Bible College and within another two months I met (at the Bible College) and married my husband. We were married 22 years and have two of the most incredibly precious teenage sons.
If those strangers had not been faithful and confronted me, rebuked me in love, I'd not have left my comfort zone in Indiana and committed myself to being faithful to what I knew was true. It took those strangers to get me back on that narrow road. We are here to lift up one another.
I encourage you all, in HIS love, to love one another and treat one another with loving ways.
God bless you and may you all be sensitive to the leading and guiding of His Holy Spirit.
posted by kathi | 7:54 PM
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