Tough Love
I was recently asked by someone how they can get through to a loved one that really just rejects Christ. I know it would be great if everyone we spoke to about Jesus was thrilled and had a heart ready to receive him, but that just isn't the case. Our world is full of sin and full of lies being told for years about the one true living God. One thing I learned early on as a Christian is that I cannot play to role of the Holy Spirit. I cannot make someone believe in Christ and I certainly will not make an unbeliever turn to Jesus by telling them they are going to hell and showing hate. I can, however, show them the love of Christ through my actions of compassion, through my words of affection and my acts of kindness. When you are nice to someone when they don't deserve it, they will take notice. Likewise, when you are mean spirited to someone and hateful, they will also take notice and if you are professing the love of Jesus through your mean words, you are doing more damage than good. They will look at you and say I never want to be like that, I never want to be a Christian because the Jesus you are showing is not the Jesus who died on the cross.
Take to heart the wounds that people all around us have and know that hurting people hurt people. They don't know how to behave differently but they are shouting out for help in many ways. Helping those around us is what the Jesus of the bible would look like. We must allow the Holy Spirit to be the one who convicts others of their sin, we cannot play his part. He will be able to convict sin with love, we will most definitely mess it up. Take time today to reevaluate your role as a Christian and ask yourself from the outside looking in, are you showing the love of Christ to those around you or do you have some work to do? We are all constantly growing and none of us live perfectly, but we must take time to work on our weaknesses and become better Christians and show this hurting world who they can turn to for real help. Let's love people while hating sin.
Hebrews 13:16 (TLB) Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to him.
John 15:12 (TLB) I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.
