Do you ever have problems with being critical or judgmental? Finding fault before finding the good? Ya, me neither! But we all know someone who is like that.
Are you glad that our heavenly Father isn’t like that? Oh yes, He sees our flaws and our shortcomings but He uses His strength and love to help us grow and overcome.
“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. 9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger.” Romans 5:6-9 CEV
Our Father isn’t willing for any of us to perish – and surely in all of time, in all the world, there could have been someone, some where who could have really irritated Him enough that He would have, could have said – “Nope, not offering you salvation. I just don’t like you.” but He didn’t.
“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV
“16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV
“The Scriptures say that no one who has faith will be disappointed, 12 no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13 CEV
Where we see faults, the Father sees a child worth dying for.
Transformation is having that kind of mindset. Looking for the value and worth in a person as God does and then letting the Holy Spirit bring the correction and change.
” Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. 31 Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. 32 Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.” Ephesians 4:30-32 CEV
I wish I could tell you that I have this down, that I am free from criticism but if I did that it would be a lie. I can tell you that I am convicted more than I ever have been about the words I say. God is working in my life on a daily basis.
Paul says in I Corinthians 13 that love thinks no evil but is patient and kind. I will pray for you and ask that you pray for me. I desire to live God’s word to the fullest in every area of my life.
“God doesn’t intend to punish us, but wants us to be saved by our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Christ died for us, so that we could live with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. 11 That’s why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing…14 My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn’t living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else.” I Thessalonians 5:10-15 CEV
Lord let my words encourage and build up others today. Let me see others through Your loving eyes!