2 Corinthians 5:16 so we have
stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of
Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!
I was listening to a
sermon yesterday morning driving to men’s group when I heard this scripture
quoted and it just stopped me in my tracks.
Especially on the heels of what I wrote Saturday. I have to admit that loving someone the way
God sees them for me is not always an easy thing to do. Case in point, at our sonic we have a gay
waiter and I know he is gay, because he flaunts it. I have not been very nice to him and have
been called out by my wife several times. Over the last three months of Listening to Todd White and understanding
what it means to love people regardless of their life style has not been the easiest
road travelled. Loving them in spite of
their religion sometimes harder. I had
some missed opportunities with some Jehovah witness’s as well. I have actually heard ”you don’t see them the
way I do”
Yesterday as I am driving I get this vision of the gay guy
from my sonic walking out with a sign around his neck that says I am a liar and
thief and that is my lifestyle that I choose.
I knew in my heart that I would treat him differently than if the sign
said I am a homosexual and that is the lifestyle I choose. Needless to say I did not feel very good
about myself knowing that I would walk in judgment like that. This is become a very big eye opener for me. since the last time I was called out I have been back to the sonic and treated him with the utmost respect and looked at him the way God sees him on the outside. (my heart is still not right though)
His kindness leads us to repentance and sometimes that kindness
is through us to another person.
Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his
kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is
intended to lead you to repentance?
This is good Kee! I struggle with loving liberals. It's hard not to look down on them knowing full well how they make horrible decisions and try to force them on the rest of us. I'm trying.
ReplyDeleteLove you bro. Hope you are well.
Great stuff sir! Takes a lot to admit something like that! It takes humility and conviction!! Thank you for sharing that!!
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of "The Village Church"? It is up in Flower Mound. Pastor is Matt Chandler and he is a great speaker!! Highly recommend that you download "the village church" app to your phone and listen to the series on recovering redemption.... Lots of wisdom!!!
Jeremy
Thank you for this brother. I'm all jacked up in this way too.
ReplyDeletethat was good. the sign around his neck is an excellent point.
ReplyDeleteit is hard, I guess as a guy, to tolerate the male gay lifestyle. I do look at them differently because I can "see" it. I can't "see" you lie or steal so there's less to judge or I should say condemn. I'm a liar and an adulterer...these sins can at least be "understood" or "justified" by society....he had to lie or the marriage was really over... but how do we understand or justify homosexuality? the answer is, you can't...no sin can...and no one is without sin. thankful for Grace! I need the same amount as the gay guy.
I believe our (Christians) biggest mental obstacle about homosexuality is we can't understand or see how God deals with that type of lifestyle...I know I don't understand but I do know He loves them.
keep digging!
hope to see ya soon
Serving for a Reason
Michael
Good stuff Kee
ReplyDeleteDavid
Love this! You’re absolutely right. As humans we love to put a value on a sin based on our own prejudices and ideas of what we agree or disagree with. The bible states to love your neighbor as yourself. Period. No exceptions. Gay, straight, black, white, fat, skinny.
ReplyDeleteI have a tendency to make my judgement based on a person’s attitude (towards myself and others) rather than their lifestyle choices. Sometimes I really have to step back and think about why the person is behaving in a certain way. It’s very hard sometimes!!
Have a great day!!
Kee
ReplyDeleteThanks for brutal honesty It's hard to nice to people I have to work at it. Todd white example in the movie father of lights was a game changer for me also. Maybe Father wants you to be extra nice to that gay kid and help him. Lol
Mark
Sent from my iPhone
God is so good! Thank You Father, for my brother Kee. Bless him in the name of Jesus!
ReplyDeleteSent from my iPhone
Corey
Such a good word Kee. I appreciate your openness and honesty and admit that I too have been struggling with judgement of others. It is sometimes so silly as I even judge and treat people based upon the car they drive (I treat those in Nissan vehicles well ). I am trying to depend more and more upon His sufficiency to help me thorough this situations and become just a little bit more like Him day by day. It is definitely a work in progress. Thanks again for your messages, they really are helpful.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am trying to get more into Todd White and have subscribed to his YouTube site.
Have a very blessed day,
Chris
It is hard to love unconditionally the way Christ loves us. I look at my life and see all the sin & imperfections & YET God FIRST loved me. He sees us as a finished creation of what he began in us. His forgiveness, grace & mercy is greater than I can fathom & reaches beyond my comprehension. If God sent his son to die for me with all my sins (secret ones too) then I can learn to love & forgive others (as hard as it is sometimes) when I learn & know about how great His love & forgiveness is for me.
ReplyDeleteJan