Luke 6:37 (NET)
When I was in high school and had just rededicated my life to Christ, I read this verse and really didn't give it much thought. Meanwhile, there was this evangelist on television named Ernest Angely. He spoke with a "different" accent (yes he was an American), he acted different than what most people would call normal. He was quite wide known at the time and a bunch of us in school would were always making fun of him, mimicking the way he talked and so on. Interesting that after I read that verse, I noticed that whenever I would make fun of Ernest Angely, something bad would happen to me. And it wasn't just once or twice, it was every time I made fun of him. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me that although he may sound and act different gives you no right to judge and criticize him. Every one has a past that has dictated the way people think, act, talk, whatever, including you and me. To judge and criticize people because they think and behave differently than you or I do is really saying we are better than they are. In reality we are no better than the other person, we just have different histories and pasts. We, as Christians, as the body of Christ, need to be flowing in more mercy and in more forgiveness and in more understanding towards other people. God didn't say its alright to criticize if they are doing something really bad, He never says that! What He does say is to love them, pray for them, and forgive them.
Take Away: instead of criticizing and judging people, ask God to help you show mercy and understanding toward others, no matter how different they talk or act.
Worship Song of the Week...
No comments:
Post a Comment