I realized that I am supposed to be a disciple of Jesus. Meaning I am to learn how to imitate him. I am to let God change my heart into His heart.
He is love. He is Mercy. He gives us freedom to choose our way. He is not a tyrant. He tells us truth but lets us decide. God is not a cult leader that manipulates into conformity. He is a lover that coaxes by loving. True, sometimes his love is tough, but not to hurt, only to heal. God did not come to condemn. He came to save. We are to tell the way to salvation.
I have been wanting to change people into right behavior. I have been angry and actually prideful and not seeing my own rebellion. I have not been love for love sake, I have been a bully that wants people to conform by pressure. I have been wanting people to get their due, instead of loving them and showing them the right way in peace.
The whole point of the Christian life is to become Christlike. Salvation is being saved from being unChristlike. To have true communion with Jesus is to be one in heart with Him.
Yes we are to hate sin! But not hate people. The people are pawns of the devil. We can hate what they do, but show them the way, by love, forgiveness, and mercy. We are to take all the grief the sin of this life brings by standing in the Grace that God gives as a testimony that God is greater. He can absorb the pain if you unite it to the cross. He did not come to eliminate pain, he transforms it into a testimony. We must be willing to TAKE THE PAIN, Stand in Grace for the love and imitation of Jesus!
God, I confess I did not want pain. This is the reason I wanted people to conform. Not because I love them. I wanted my life to be easier. I did not want the cross of bearing with people and their sin. And yet I am a sinner!! And actually to be fair I hate even myself for my behavior. Instead of hate though you want us to love people into the freedom of your kingdom. Your word brings deliverance from sin. You invite people to follow your way.
Help me focus on walking in the kingdom, in freedom from hate, loving those even when they sin so they may want freedom too. Help me be willing to bear the pain of my own and others sin so I can be made into your heart for sinners. You love us and want us to transform our heart into yours. Your way brings healing from sin. You invite people to follow your way but you do not force or manipulate. Please forgive me. Please transform me. Please heal my heart of anger and hate and help me love like you. Help me be a testimony of your way of love and deliverance. Amen.
Jesus would not steal. Jesus would not tell on people. Jesus would not talk about people behind their back.
Jesus would accept what the Father gave him. Jesus would speak directly to the person. Jesus would take the pain of being sinned against and pray for you to hear the spirit conviction and change.
I am so very far from Jesus.
Christ, SAVE ME!
Follow Up Questions
How can you practice embodying Jesus's acceptance of what the Father gives, even when it's difficult?
In what ways can you internalize Jesus's approach of absorbing pain and praying for others, transforming your own response to conflict?
I must accept what I gave and be grateful. I must stop trying to have everything I want.
I must see the peoples being used by the devil and pray for their deliverance not get angry at them but be very sad for them.
Follow Up Questions
When you reflect on Jesus's example of love and forgiveness, what specific actions can you take today to extend that same grace to someone you've judged or felt anger towards?
In what small ways can you practice accepting your current circumstances and letting go of the desire for things to be different, trusting that this acceptance can lead to inner peace?
I can see they are in the jaws of the dog and pray for them too be released. Instead of being angry I can feel sad for them and pray they can hear the spirit for deliverance.
I must accept all my circumstances as coming from the Lord. He said the way of salvation is The Cross. I have to let go trying to make this place heaven on earth. Things will not go right here. I am to train my soul for heaven by accepting all and walking in live anyway. This will be peace, knowing I am doing His will and carrying my cross so I will be ready for heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment