Here is something I have struggled with. When I am hurt I just want to hurt back. My inclination is to pray prayers like, "ZAP THEM LORD!" And kindness? Forget that, they don't deserve that!
But--how can I slam my brother or sister when God has been so merciful to me? What do I deserve? Death--that's what I deserve. Yet Jesus Christ took my death on the cross. Every payment I owed was nailed up there with Him. I am set free because of His sacrifice. What did I do to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. I was a sinner when He died for me, Romans 5:8.
If I deserved so great a punishment and was given mercy instead, shouldn't I extend this same mercy, love and compassion to others?
Here is something amazing. Romans 2:4 says the goodness of God leads to repentance. His GOODNESS leads to repentance. Not zapping, not unkindness, not angry words and coldness. God's goodness...
I struggled with this so many times. How can God's goodness lead to repentance?
I struggled, but I tried it anyway.
There has been someone in my family who has torn me down for years. Her unkindness as left me stunned at times. I was preparing for a visit from her and prayed about this. I was just waking out of sleep when the Lord answered. He said, "A gracious woman retains honor," Proverbs 11:16. He gave me an understanding. He wanted me to treat this woman with graciousness and honor. At the same time, He wanted me to retain my own honor, not allowing her to tear me down. Maybe this seems small, but it changed my life. I met that woman at the airport. The first thing I said was how well she looked, and I admired something she was wearing. All through that visit I gave her good words, admiring words, gracious words. These were all truthful--I never lied. An amazing thing happened. She softened. She almost seemed at a loss for how to answer. That was the turning point in our relationship.
Encouraged by this, I began using the same principle in other relationships. My husband has a job which requires me to socialize with people who are often unkind and even cruel. Yet good, kind, gracious words even turned many of these around. The very same women who had been castigating me now come up and hug me when they see me. It's true--the goodness of God leads to repentance. I am treated well by others, for I treat them with graciousness.
Yes, there are people I've encountered who are so full of darkness that they continue in their negativity. There are times when I've had to step aside. But even then I've prayed for them.
I've prayed blessings, especially that blessing in Acts 3:26 . What can be better than to pray that God will turn someone away from sin, and turn them to Him? I pray that for myself!
Here is a lesson I have learned again and again: the goodness of God leads to repentance. Be gracious with others, be kind. The love of God is in each of us, poured out by the Holy Spirit who is given to us, Romans 5:5. We have wisdom living in us, His name is Jesus. We have God's love to give. He is so good to us, and so kind. Let us extend that same goodness, kindness and compassion to others.
But--how can I slam my brother or sister when God has been so merciful to me? What do I deserve? Death--that's what I deserve. Yet Jesus Christ took my death on the cross. Every payment I owed was nailed up there with Him. I am set free because of His sacrifice. What did I do to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. I was a sinner when He died for me, Romans 5:8.
If I deserved so great a punishment and was given mercy instead, shouldn't I extend this same mercy, love and compassion to others?
Here is something amazing. Romans 2:4 says the goodness of God leads to repentance. His GOODNESS leads to repentance. Not zapping, not unkindness, not angry words and coldness. God's goodness...
I struggled with this so many times. How can God's goodness lead to repentance?
I struggled, but I tried it anyway.
There has been someone in my family who has torn me down for years. Her unkindness as left me stunned at times. I was preparing for a visit from her and prayed about this. I was just waking out of sleep when the Lord answered. He said, "A gracious woman retains honor," Proverbs 11:16. He gave me an understanding. He wanted me to treat this woman with graciousness and honor. At the same time, He wanted me to retain my own honor, not allowing her to tear me down. Maybe this seems small, but it changed my life. I met that woman at the airport. The first thing I said was how well she looked, and I admired something she was wearing. All through that visit I gave her good words, admiring words, gracious words. These were all truthful--I never lied. An amazing thing happened. She softened. She almost seemed at a loss for how to answer. That was the turning point in our relationship.
Encouraged by this, I began using the same principle in other relationships. My husband has a job which requires me to socialize with people who are often unkind and even cruel. Yet good, kind, gracious words even turned many of these around. The very same women who had been castigating me now come up and hug me when they see me. It's true--the goodness of God leads to repentance. I am treated well by others, for I treat them with graciousness.
Yes, there are people I've encountered who are so full of darkness that they continue in their negativity. There are times when I've had to step aside. But even then I've prayed for them.
I've prayed blessings, especially that blessing in Acts 3:26 . What can be better than to pray that God will turn someone away from sin, and turn them to Him? I pray that for myself!
Here is a lesson I have learned again and again: the goodness of God leads to repentance. Be gracious with others, be kind. The love of God is in each of us, poured out by the Holy Spirit who is given to us, Romans 5:5. We have wisdom living in us, His name is Jesus. We have God's love to give. He is so good to us, and so kind. Let us extend that same goodness, kindness and compassion to others.