Dearest friends, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I would like to wish you a happy and fruitful new month filled with Love, Beauty, and Peace.
During the early days of last month, I shared a video with a few people in my reach via my social media platforms, and I was talking about the virtue of giving and extending grace to the people around us.
The Bible in Romans 14:1- 4 says, “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who do not see things the way you do. And do not jump all over them every time they do or say something you do not agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ’s table, wouldn’t it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or did not eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God’s welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.”
I have personally realized that it is rather easier for an individual who is going through a situation to read a scripture like “All things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose” and believe it for themselves to be true, but then fail to actually realize that the same message could be true for their neighbor who is probably going through a different situation.
Paul encourages us to welcome with open arms fellow believers who do not see things the way we do, and it is sad how we currently treat one another because we see things differently especially in our doctrinal and belief perspectives. We need to understand that there is a difference between bad company that corrupts good morals, which the bible encourages us to stay away from; and people with different perspectives in line with the things of the spirit…
It is sad that we share moments of our lives with people only until a certain revelation hits our minds or get affiliated with certain places of worship only to throw out the people we knew or rather those that knew us well. While it is understandable that our insight into the realities of God could be different, we still carry this treasure in an earthen vessel which God created for fellowship. In fact, it is important to realize that the same way God created the body parts to need each other, we as humans need each other, because he put something you will need one day in another person. No matter how rich, or married, or unique, or advantaged you are, you will one day need something that is in another man.
My point here is that if there are certain people in your life you cut off because you felt God had elevated your vision and revelation to a level higher than them, you might need to check your attitude and humbly look for some of those people and reconnect to them. For some, the people they cut off mentored them in primary, or secondary or university, and taught them the little they knew about God; for some, the people they cut off or judged were the only voices they had growing up, and for some, up until now, they judge the people whose seed and sacrifices they know not.
My emphasis today, as we begin this new season exaggerated with the atmosphere of love and celebration, is that we need to learn to give the same grace we need. The bible has always clearly reminded us of the fact that we reap what we sow. If you are going through a tough season, and you believe that all things are working together for you, then have the maturity to understand that the same goes for a neighbor of yours who could be going through something you do not understand, and not judge them.
I have encountered mothers who miscarried and in the process of healing, they are judged for getting lost and being quiet; I have encountered mothers who have given birth at a time when they were not ready and in the process of adjusting to motherhood and being a wife at the same time balancing work and life, misjudged during the same season for being anti-social; I have seen men who have lost their jobs and had it a bit rough in life for a season, and like the blind man in the story of Jesus, “they must have sinned against God” The examples can go on and on, but my point of emphasis is that we should learn to give grace, give mercy, be empathetic and understanding with the people around us. We can be a source of healing to the world, we can bring change, Positive change to the communities we live in.
And finally, like Paul said, if there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. That is why Paul again instructed Timothy and told him that “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”
Can we instead pray for each other? Can we be a little more empathetic and understanding? Can we make the world a better place? Jesus did the same, and if we truly submit to His Lordship, then let us allow Him to work in us to be better people and our dwellings more habitable for the people around us. It does not hurt to live every single day as an authentic Christian.
May God help us all.
Stay Blessed.
#WiGTyT
