Wednesday Devotion

“Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:28). This is an important lesson for Christians. It is important as we are told to not hate. We are told to bless and to pray. If this is true, then why do we hate? Why do we judge?
Paul makes the point in Philippians 2:3, to “Make your joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit, and in purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Again, we are told to love, not to hate of judge.
It is Jesus who teaches us that we should embrace all who we meet with love and compassion. His whole ministry revolved around the purpose of his life as a savior, and bring the lost to the table of the Lord. All too often we seem to not follow his example. In an article by Allison Stevens, at gotquestions.org, she states that Jesus sets an example for us to “build relationships with those we do not know.” She also points out, that when we meet those who have not experienced God’s grace, that we are to have the “Heart of Jesus.”, extending our hands, at their time of need. (1.) Jesus spoke to us in Matthew 25:35-40, “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me a drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.” we are to treat all those who cross the path of life, as Jesus would treat them, with kindness, compassion, and humility. Giving of ourselves to make their life better even in a small way.
I am not suggesting that we should try to solve all the problems in the world, rather, become a change in even one person’s world. Stevens states that, “we will find opportunities to do what we can, for those who are in need, who are separated from God. She concludes, that is we separate or isolate ourselves, we are missing the point of sharing Christ we others. She also mentioned, our separation leads to a self-righteous posture and attitude. (1.) 
When we give in to self-righteousness, we become cynical, cold hearted to those who we do not know and judgmental of others to whom are not like us. We become intolerant and ignorant to the needs of others. As we turn to our own desire and wants, as we become increasingly detached from others, we become more distant from God’s desire for us.
There is a quote that I find helpful in considering others who are in need. This quote comes from Charles Dickenson’s “A Christmas Carol”. We read in this story of the miserly Scrooge who places himself over others, and consider the poor are surplus population, in response to his question of tiny Tim.
The Ghost of Christmas present tells him, “It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live, to live than millions like this poor man's child” (2.) Are to be like this man? Or are we to take the time do what God wishes us to do?
 
Every day, we have the opportunity, and the possibility to make a change in the world of a single person. Will you take this opportunity to help? 
 
 
1.)    Allison Stevens, https://questions.org,
2.)    A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, p 82 Chapman & Hall in 1843