I have been learning a lot about this commandment. As we deal with people who make threats against our family, slander and make false accusations I feel my nature wanting to get angry and seek revenge especially after 90+days. It is then that the Holy Spirit has been speaking loudly to me: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35-35) and then He continues on "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
I am fully aware of my sinful nature wanting to creep in and cause anger, bitterness and hatred. However, I am thankful to say that by the power of the Holy Spirit I am able to pray for these people. To attempt to bless when they curse, to do good to those who persecute. This is hard but God promises a good result when we seek to obey his commandments. I must assume the best and love, I must cover a multitude of wrongs with love, I must be patient, I must be kind, I must not be rude, I must always protect, always hope and I must always persevere. (1 Cor 13:4-5). Unfortunately this does not just apply to family members, friends and loved ones. This is the same behavior I must have towards the people who seem evil, mean and attack my family. But to this I have been called. As Pastor James says: Faith is believing the word of God and acting upon it because God promises a good result.
I do these things not because God promises Jackson will come home tomorrow, although that would be awesome, I do these things because "by this all men (saved and unsaved) will know that you are my disciples" I do this so that others will maybe see Jesus in me. Trust me, but for the grace of God I go, giving into my sinful nature and hurting the name of Christ instead of lifting it high. As I do these things I have peace in my heart that if there is something that I am doing right it is this, because this is what God calls me to. By no means have I arrived, but I press on toward the goal for the prize of the of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3:14
2 comments:
You are so right about this. It's a hard pill to swallow to love those who are not loving on you. I struggle with it sooo much, I'm sorry to admit it. But you are so nestled in the Lord's arms right now. You guys are a great witness for Him.
Kandy,
I know that this time in your life is tuff. I can sense the hurt that you feel just by talking to Emily. I'm not going to say that I understand because I do not. I have a son that I have not seen in in over 8 months and he does not know who I am. Know that The things that God puts us through are all for a reason we may not understand what they are at the time and we alleyways find ourselves asking why. But know that the more we are Gods children the more these things will happen to us. It is easy to live by mans rules but it takes the strongest and most noble person to live by Gods.
Post a Comment