With all
the political talk going on right now my heart was so encouraged and corrected
by my Bible reading today!
Titus
3:1-7
"Remind the believers to submit to the government and its
officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must
not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle
and show true humility to everyone. 3 Once we, too, were foolish
and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures.
Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When
God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of
the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our
sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[a] 6 He
generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7
Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we
will inherit eternal life."
We as believers are called to show humility to
everyone... even the politicians! It doesn't say we have to agree with them,
but we need to remember that we ourselves were once foolish and disobedient. We
were also misled and slaves to many lusts and pleasures... BUT GOD! God saved
us, not because of the righteous things we had done but because of his mercy!
Instead of joining the bashing sessions about politicians and non-believers we should be on our
knees praying for them, ALL of them! We are called to show true humility to
EVERYONE not just those that we like or those that believe the same that we do!
1 Peter
3:8-9
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with
each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and
keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with
insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is
what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing."
Matthew
5:43-48
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and
hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who
persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your
Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and
he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who
love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that
much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[s] how are you different from
anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your
Father in heaven is perfect."
We are
called to love everyone; we are to be “Christ Like” and follow his example! His
example showed that while we were still sinners he loved us so much that he
sent his son to die on the cross for us! Just as God loved you before you loved
him, he also loves every non-believer in this world! Who are we to pick and
choose who should be loved? We are not called to judge the world, we are
called to preach the gospel and show the world God’s love! Our lives should
bring honor to God.
Before
someone accepts Christ’s salvation the only Bible they generally read is YOU!
Does your life reflect how loving and amazing our Father is or does it paint a
picture of a hateful and slandering God?
We are
called to be gracious and humble! Often when we get fired up about a topic we
get all “gung-ho” and we can tend to go overboard! We stand outside
institutions that are contrary to the word and picket, with signs telling
people how wrong they are… but I don’t recall being instructed by my Bible to
yell at unbelievers. No, I see that I am to love them so that all glory and
honor will be given to God. It’s like the old saying that you catch more flies
with honey than with vinegar.
No one
wants to spend time with someone that constantly points out their flaws! It is
God’s job to burn away the dross in the lives of his people not ours! Yes, he
may use people to speak truth, but only when it is done out of love can it be
effective!
Ephesians 4:29-32
”Don’t use foul or
abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your
words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring
sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you
as his own,[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all
bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil
behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Let your
words build others up! Remember what your mom taught you “If you can’t say anything
nice, then don’t say anything at all.” If you don’t agree with someone’s life
choices, check it with the scriptures. If you find it is contrary to the
scriptures your first step to pray for them! Then listen to what God wants you
to do! Does he want you to lovingly correct them or does he want you to just
love on them? One of the hardest things to remember is that non-believers don’t
have the same “standard” they are to live up to! They have not met their
amazing savior yet, they are not Christ followers… so don’t expect them to be!
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