It’s harder than it sounds
There are many, many things that I struggle with on a daily basis. Amoung those are Christ’s relentless pursiut of my heart and His desire that I love others as He does – yes even my enemies. I, like many people, work in a gossipy and judgemental enviroment. Essentially I have a fairly visiable position in a large organization of about 1500. In that role, I have fans and then those who simply do not and will not like me. I’ve spent years concentrating on those people and have converted many, however I’ve realized that it’s impossible to be liked by everyone. Not that I have stopped trying, but I am aspiring to no longer lose sleep about it. In some instances folks have reasons to dislike me. Some people are simply convicted about themselves and some I have offended. Not everyone is as forgiving as Christ is.
As much as I desire to love others, to not stand in judgement, to not gossip and to not want to “put them in their place”, the desire does not always become reality. I wake up each morning telling myself that I will be kind and show the love of Christ – and then I get out of bed…
Blessings? Really!?!?!
While preparing for a sermon, I was reading Romans 12:14-20. It had nothing to do with what I was preparing to speak on, but I dwelled on it non-the-less.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.
20 Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I find two main issues with this – first I am greatly convicted in the fact that these verses do not suggest we think blessings,or think kindness toward our enemies. We must actually do it and feel it. People are pretty quick to know when you aren’t being sincere. In verse 16 it says that we should not be wise in our own opinion and that we must be humble. It’s hard to believe that we were called out by Christ and through his death were saved, yet at the same time not have a tendency to look down on those who don’t live as we think they should. Humanity has established some type of gauge as to what persons are good and which are bad, but God has said that we are all sinners and the He died for EVERYONE. It’s the second thing that is such a struggle for us. That is not to say that He isn’t grieved by our sin; but He’s grieved by all sin – not just those who do it more frequently.
However, I know that Christ has told us that we will be judged by the same measure that we measure others. God help me… I’ve often fallen and often judged those who have fallen.
The Salvation of All
I am thankful that I have seen many of the low points in my life. I wasn’t at the time that I was living through them, but I’ve got much more of a heart for those who are stuggling. Now, I am working on not judging those who judge – don’t think on that too hard, it’ll hurt your brain. I really do tend to get most upset with those who are judgemental and trivial with others.
That being said, I don’t wish to be judgemental of anyone. I wish to be aware of things that may be of harm to me and my family and to guard and protect; but I will not shy away from opportunities to show God’s love. It’s not enough to say it or think it. We have to show it – even to our enemies….especially to our enemies. It’s easy to show forgiveness to our friends and loved ones. The Christian walk is not easy…
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