Being Kind!
[32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to the truth of God's Word, today's verse is the right message for the right time. As you read the entire chapter, you discover that the message is for a specific audience, and that is 'those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption'. This classification is important, because it is my identity and ownership that will define my pursuits and priorities. It is a different message for those who belong to the world, as they are known, identified and directed by someone else. At all times, we are under the control and influence of a spiritual authority, and it will do me well to know what the options are, so I can pattern my life and its focus accordingly. Do I know who I am, as well as whose I am? Can God dictate terms and conditions for my life, or do I have to get into a fix before I realise thst God is trying to catch my attention?
If I have sorted out my identity, then the message in the verse above applies to me. I am charged by the verse above to be kind and compassionate, which is only possible for those who know and understand the source of the help needed to align with the instruction. Let it be known today that mere strength will not take you to the desired destination; no amount of inner core stability will drive me to the place God wants me to be without His presence helping me. God will not demand from me what He has not given me grace for. The additional beauty of the verse above is that God has placed other people's lives in my path, so I could show them what a life that is surrendered to God looks like. And I have the perfect example to emulate. He would not demand from me without first showing me what it looks like. His own life is the perfect example of forgiveness and mercy and I now have no excuse. He has shown me what He wants; would I follow in His steps? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment