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).
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 BIBLEREADING
PLAN: Acts 6:9-15, Nehemiah 6
2 YEAR BIBLE
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