Jude 1:20-22
But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the hardest things we will ever do is to stay faithful and positive when others are trying to tear us down. And often, in serving God, this is what happens. When people operate out of fear, unbelief, or even weakened faith, they frequently lash out, mistreat others, and reject love and kindness shown to them. Does this mean we must stop offering it? Absolutely not? Does this mean we can become discouraged and feel defeated? No way! I love the last few sentences of this scripture passage … go easy on those who hesitate and after those who take the wrong way.
Have you ever had someone apologize or make excuses for being unpleasant, saying, “I’m just having a bad day.”? Sometimes, when things are not right in our own life – or in our Spiritual life – we compensate by lashing out at others … or avoiding them. Some of this is done consciously – and some is done subconsciously. But either way, when someone does this toward us, we must be merciful and try to understand where they are coming from – and to be tender with them.
So the next time someone treats you unkindly, doesn’t return a phone call, fails to show up for an appointment, says something hurtful, ignores you in the store or on the street, and more … give them love and kindness in return. You don’t have to excuse their behavior or become a doormat for it … but you must show the love and mercy of Jesus to them. As someone pointed out recently, Jesus was mistreated all the way to the cross and still showed love and mercy there, asking God to forgive his persecutors. Why should we do any less for our friends and neighbors?
Nobody ever said being a faithful Christian was easy. Nobody ever said we wouldn’t be mistreated by others for our faith and kindness … or that everyone we encountered would welcome us with open arms and receive all we offer. But we must keep trying, in Jesus’ name. How do we do this? By following the first part of this passage … carefully building ourselves up in prayer and holy faith – by calling on the Holy Spirit to guide us each and every step of the way.
We must keep being tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. Our arms must be outstretched and ready not only for the mercy and love of Jesus for ourselves… but also to share it with those we encounter. Are your arms open wide to Jesus today? Are they open toward others, as well?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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