2:310 – You Can Be Faithful And Not Mean

#faithbites #faithjourney faithful

This #faithbite may trigger strong feelings. You can believe 100% in your church, your denomination, and your beliefs and not be a jack wagon. Pardon my french. 🙂

I have seen people say they love Jesus and then say God Hates F–s. Others who share scripture but say immigrants should go home. I’ve had people question my faith because I’m friends with pretty much every type of person under the sun.

If we are living a life worth imitating, then we are imitating Jesus. Jesus was the most faithful person every, praising his Father every chance he could get. Yet he still hung out with prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves, liars, gentiles, and unclean people. Why? Because he loved them despite their sins. He shared his faith but never forced anyone to change. They changed because they believed.

When we are walking in His footsteps, we can be angry about ways people behave. We can dislike behaviors. But if we are truly being faithful, we need to put that to the side and love God and our neighbors. In other words, dont be a jack wagon.

Scripture

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. – Luke 6:27:36

Reflection

Do unto others as you’d have done to you. Give and help without expecting gifts or help in return. Turn the other cheek.

This passage is part of the core of how we should treat those who we consider enemies. It doesnt matter if they are of a different race, different ethnicity, different socioeconomic group, political view, religion, or anything.

Tomorrow we will talk about how we can share parts of our faith that others dont agree with without being a Jack wagon.

For today, remember we are all Children of the same father. Just as kids mess up, God’s children do as well. Most as he still loves us when we mess up, we should love those whom we think have messed up.

Challenge

Find someone who you don’t agree with or has different beliefs. Listen to them and be kind. You don’t have to agree with them or try to change their mind, just show love.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for being with us through the hard times. We know that just like siblings, we will fight with our neighbors and not agree. Help us to allows turn the other cheek and meet anger with love. When we mess up, like we now we will, forgive us and help us to always love. In your name, Amen.