Wow! This was a word I was supposed to have today. Praise God. Wanted to share - Bob
This Day
Galatians 6 1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2 Timothy 2 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Hebrews 5 1Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
As Christians, our role when it comes to sin around us is a multi-faceted issue and there are actually specific responses in Scripture, but I think that these three passages do well to address the tenor of our response to others.
First though, let me say that being Christian does not mean that we are to tolerate all things. In fact, we have specific things that we believe and that we follow that define us to others.
They will know us because of the fact that we are giving, loving and compassionate.
They will know us because of our faith in a risen Christ.
They will know us for our charity and taking care of widows and the less fortunate.
We remain disciplined followers of Christ whether it is popular or not.
We believe in absolute truth that comes in Christ...He is the way, the truth, and the light...
These are some of our attributes that are unwavering...
But, that does not mean that we are to be completely intolerant when it comes to our manner of dealing with tough issues and with each other. The traits in these passages are clear - being gentle, being kind, able to teach, not resentful, gently instruct in the hope that GOD will grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the truth, deal gently with those who don't simply don't know and are going astray - these are the traits that we are to seek. These will help define us. Anyone can arrogantly, pridefully display their own knowledge in these areas, but that is about us and not about God.
In fact, I used to be one to beat people over the head with Scripture so that they would change...but what invariably happened was that it drove them away. I didn't use Scripture in a loving, compassionate way, but pridefully, to show what I "knew"...and now I only know that I don't know so very much...I lost the spirit of the Word and this would cost me as a witness and would invariably lead to drug/alcohol relapse...which fulfilled another issue addressed in these passages - But watch yourself or you may also be tempted and He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
When we forget that God is the one in control of the outcome and we are the ones susceptible to temptation, spiritual pride/spiritual arrogance/lack of humility can sneak in and lead us down false paths. It is not up to me or up to another to open the heart of someone, it is God's domain...He is the one who grants them knowledge...
I just need to be available for His use...whether that is directly talking to others or stimulating thought...it is up to Him to teach me what He will and use me as He can...
Lord, may I remain Your gentle, compassionate servant in all things, in all ways, in this day...
BE ENCOURAGED!!! Our work is to stay available, God does the "people changing"...
Drink that water, exercise and be blessed in this day...
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