1 Thessalonians 2:7
"As emissaries of the Messiah, we could have made our weight felt; but instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother feeding and caring for her children."
It is the kindness of the Lord that draws people to repentance.
~One of the most disheartening things I see in our world today is Christians who behave as though we are at war with "the culture". I see it in their Facebook posts, admonishing government officials and special interest groups; railing on over this group's sinful behavior, or that group's evil actions. I hear it in their conversations about how this group is so deceived, or that group is headed straight to hell. Does this sound like "a mother feeding and caring for her children?" The very emissaries of Christ, men who were endowed with the power to work miracles and had the right as officers of God to "make their weight felt" didn't even treat people this way. Brothers, we are not at war with "the culture"! In fact, we are not even called to rebuke the culture for their sins, rather to strive in every way to live at peace with them! (Romans 8:12) We need to remember that it is the kindness of the Lord that draws people to repentance, not the stern rebuke of his children! We all live under the same fierce judgment coming upon the world for its disobedience, it is but for the blood of our Messiah that we will escape it. Therefore we ought to be desperately pleading with those around us to join us under that covering, not viciously pointing out their failings under the guise of telling "hard truths". When Paul instructed us to "stand firm in our faith", he didn't say pull out a megaphone and announce it while you're doing it. Now to be clear, I am not saying we should shrink back when asked about the truth of the gospel, or the righteous expectation of our Father to abide by his Holy Commands. I'm simply saying that this truth should be delivered gently, in love, and when asked; not thrust upon a world who didn't ask for your opinion. If you consider yourself a "truth-teller", I encourage you to remember 1 Corinthians 13:
I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels;
but if I lack love, I have become merely
blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.
2 I may have the gift of prophecy,
I may fathom all mysteries, know all things,
have all faith — enough to move mountains;
but if I lack love, I am nothing.
3 I may give away everything that I own,
I may even hand over my body to be burned;
but if I lack love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful,
5 not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered,
and it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not gloat over other people’s sins
but takes its delight in the truth.
7 Love always bears up, always trusts,
always hopes, always endures.
It is easy to rebuke, it is difficult to love.
Todays Prayer
Father soften our hearts for your people today. Remind us that we were once just as they were, lost and in desperate need of you. Give us a deeper revelation of your heart, that our fierce zeal for you would be expressed in our unrelenting love for your people!