Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults...Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier (Luke 6:37 MSG).
God expects you to value others the same way He values you. When people come around you, they shouldn't feel uneasy, dejected, imperfect, timid, insecure, afraid, or doubtful of themselves. Rather, they should be confident, inspired, courageous, strong, vibrant, and enthusiastic to face life and win. Don't make people feel intimidated, worthless or hopeless.
Consider the Lord in Genesis chapter eighteen: He appeared in the form of a man, and told Abraham who, at the time, was almost one hundred years old, that he was going to have a son through his wife Sarah. Sarah, who heard what the Lord said, laughed within herself, saying, "After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" (Genesis 18:12).
Responding to Sarah's unbelief, God asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh?" (Genesis 18:13). The Bible says, "Then Sarah denied, saying, I didn't laugh; for she was afraid" (Genesis 18:15). God could have reprimanded her thus: "You mean in my presence, you dare tell a lie?" But no, He wasn't mad at her. Instead, He said to her lovingly, "No; but you did laugh" (Genesis 18:15).
God didn't make Sarah feel less than she was; He didn't attack her personality. He was easy on her, because He knew the reason she lied was because she was afraid, and the solution for fear is faith that works by love. Let people be confident around you. Let them be free to be themselves around you. Let them be free to express themselves; they shouldn't be afraid to "fail" or make a mistake around you.
Every human person is bought with, and washed by, the blood of Jesus Christ; we're sanctified by God, and are therefore valuable to Him. When you see, relate with, and talk to people with this understanding, they'll be confident in themselves and know that's how God sees them too. Thus, instead of running away from God when they do something wrong, they'll run to Him.
PRAYER
Merciful Father, I thank you for loving and accepting me, and teaching me to shower others with the same kindness, and cover them always with your love. I'm confident in your love always, and sufficient in your sufficiency, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 6:36
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 3,
Genesis 6-8
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts 6:9-15,
Nehemiah 6
Good morning and do have a refreshing today. Keep Spreading.
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