As a believer, we need to get a clear understanding of our assignment and make sure we’re not pushing away the ones we are called to love. When I read the New Testament, the theme I notice is how Jesus sat with those who were broken, the outcasts, the sinners…the ones who the “religious” thought weren’t good enough because they didn’t “do” all the holy things.
Who did Jesus correct the most?!
The ones who thought they were so righteous, they looked down on anyone who didn’t measure up.
I’m just gonna be real…I’m seeing a lot of “Pharisees” these days and we’re missing the heart of the Father.
Obviously if we call ourselves a Christian, we are held to God’s standards, but let’s never posture ourselves in such a way that we think we are better than anyone because we live a certain way or have different morals than someone who doesn’t claim to be a Christian…because the truth is, we’re not loved more than those who haven’t met Jesus yet.
Have you ever thought of that?
God loves your perceived enemies as much as he loves you, and you are held accountable to the way you treat them…even the way you think about them.
Here’s a pull from my latest book, Ripple Effect:
“We are not here to fight people.
We are here to love them and release the Kingdom of Heaven.
They are deceived and in bondage to the enemy. They are blinded by darkness and desperately need a touch from Jesus.
Let’s stop focusing on what the unsaved think, believe, their lifestyle, what they did, and everything that separates us from loving them fiercely into the Kingdom of Heaven!”
God is calling His church (that’s you and me) to get our hearts lined up with His so we can see people through His lens of mercy and grace.
This broken world needs the healing touch of Jesus, and the only way they will know of Him through us is when we walk in forgiveness and become love.
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots. — Luke 23:33-34 (NIV)
