Sunday, June 1, 2014

Why Can't People Be Like Me? Really?

My Utmost For His Highest

“He said to me, ’Son of man, can these bones live?’” —Ezekiel 37:3

‘Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— “O Lord God, You know” (Ezekiel 37:3).[…] It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we see the activity and mistake panic for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow workers with God, yet so many people working for God. We would much rather work for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do?[…] When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace.[…] God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.’ CHAMBERS
 
Are there people that really irritate you? Maybe they are Christians.  You wonder, “Why can’t they be better?  Why do they persist in doing the wrong things? Why do they act like unbelievers?  “Why aren’t they more like … well … more like me?”  So the Holy Spirit shows you what you are like.  That you are a sinner saved by grace.  That you struggle with obedience to the word .. satisfied with qualified obedience.  You cut yourself a lot of slack, but for others .. not so much.  It is like the parable of the unforgiving servant … Matthew 18:21-35 … that guy wanted forgiveness and mercy, but was unwilling to show the same to others. 
 
Is there someone or more than one someone who you hold bitterness in your heart toward? You need to forgive them just like God has forgiven you.  You need to cut them some slack .. encourage them to let the light of Christ shine .. how do you do that?  By letting it shine from you.  Speak kindly to them .. treat them well … None of us deserve grace and mercy but God gave it to us anyway … Let them see Jesus in you …
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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