Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
”ALWAYS be humble and gentle.”
This is a command, not a suggestion.
It is easy to observe others and make judgments in our minds about the spiritual growth of those around us.
The problem with that is we are judging God.
Anything outside of our minds and the physical body is under the control of God. And I am thankful for this because I have my hands full, keeping myself in check.
Here is our responsibility with regards to others:
”Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
What do we do?
We are ”patient” and ”making allowance”.
How long do we have to do this?
As long as it takes for God to make the change stick in the other person.
What do we do? With care and compassion, we gently point them back into the Word of God while living out our faith, without hypocrisy, in their presence and more important while they are absent. Giving them no doubt that the power of the Word of God will change a life and let it begin with yours.
When that light goes on in the other believer’s heart, it will NEVER go out BUT, if the change comes because we browbeat the other person to change, the question is not if the person will go back to their old ways; the question is when?
Why do we do this?
John 3:16 NLT
”For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 3:16 NLT
”We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
How do we give up our lives?
By living out our faith in the presence of those around us, out of love for our Lord and Savior because of what He did for us, without expecting anything in return. Sacrificial love, love given to others who can never repay you for any of it.
Heavenly Father, thank You.
Thank You for Your unconditional love. For loving me even though I am unworthy of that love.
I pray that I can be used by You to bring others to You by the example of how I worship You and live out my life in obedience to Your Word.
Please give me the faith, courage, and strength to stand firm in the face of the trials You provide to strengthen me.
In the Holy, loving, and name above all names, I pray, Amen!! 🙏🏻❤️
