At times I struggle with people. Some are not very kind to others, some are not very patient, and some are just plain mean to others by constantly mistreating and degrading them. The problem is that these are children of God…not only those who are being mean, but also those who are mistreated. I cannot imagine God is very happy when his children act badly to one another. I know it frustrates me as a parent when my children squabble with each other, it must be much the same for our heavenly Father. I also think God is saddened when we look at others and treat them as if they are not his children. Max Lucado wrote in “A Gentle Thunder,”
We are God’s idea. We are his. His face. His eyes. His hands. His touch. We are him. Look deeply into the face of every human being on earth, and you will see his likeness. Though some appear to be distant relatives, they are not. God has no cousins, only children.
We are incredibly the body of Christ. And though we may not act like our Father, there is no greater truth than this: We are his. Unalterably. He love us. Undyingly. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Romans 8:38-39).
Once we realize this, once we truly realize that all are his children, it cannot help but change the way we look at and treat our brothers and sisters.
We are God’s idea. We are his. His face. His eyes. His hands. His touch. We are him. Look deeply into the face of every human being on earth, and you will see his likeness. Though some appear to be distant relatives, they are not. God has no cousins, only children.
We are incredibly the body of Christ. And though we may not act like our Father, there is no greater truth than this: We are his. Unalterably. He love us. Undyingly. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Romans 8:38-39).
Once we realize this, once we truly realize that all are his children, it cannot help but change the way we look at and treat our brothers and sisters.
Do you think God ever wants to give his children a 'time out'? I know He did once (when Moses and his group wondered for 40 years), but does He still do that?? I don't understand why people are sometimes hateful toward each other, but there has to be a lesson in there somewhere. If nothing else, patience, compassion and possibly how NOT to be.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think God still uses time-outs...but I am not sure he calls them that! Hatred equals sin nature; remember God is love. Lots and lots of lessons if we just pay attention.
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