Those Annoying People!
November 5, 2013//
Topics to Dig Into
Matthew 6:27-28
Love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you.
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you.
Confession: I am quick to judge. I have a visceral
response to people I don’t like. It’s a
character trait I struggle with. My
roommates used to say they knew within seconds from my body language whether or
not I liked someone.
response to people I don’t like. It’s a
character trait I struggle with. My
roommates used to say they knew within seconds from my body language whether or
not I liked someone.
We all
encounter people we don’t particularly care for. Who comes to mind? Are they annoying, critical or
opinionated? Self-centered, lazy or
needy? What is it about them that bothers
you?
encounter people we don’t particularly care for. Who comes to mind? Are they annoying, critical or
opinionated? Self-centered, lazy or
needy? What is it about them that bothers
you?
How
about the person who has hurt us or offended one of our children? We may not call them an enemy, but we
certainly wouldn’t invite them to dinner.
They succeeded where we failed or spoke hurtful words. We keep a close eye on them and watch our
backs.
about the person who has hurt us or offended one of our children? We may not call them an enemy, but we
certainly wouldn’t invite them to dinner.
They succeeded where we failed or spoke hurtful words. We keep a close eye on them and watch our
backs.
Jesus
calls us to love these particular people.
Not just in theory but in action.
We are to serve them. It’s easy to be kind to people we like. Christians are called to be overtly loving to
the rest. That’s what we mean when we sing ‘they’ll know
we are Christians by our love’ (go ahead, hum the song). Our love doesn’t make
sense to non-Christians. Our love stands
out. Our love identifies us.
calls us to love these particular people.
Not just in theory but in action.
We are to serve them. It’s easy to be kind to people we like. Christians are called to be overtly loving to
the rest. That’s what we mean when we sing ‘they’ll know
we are Christians by our love’ (go ahead, hum the song). Our love doesn’t make
sense to non-Christians. Our love stands
out. Our love identifies us.
I like
to think I have improved over the years at controlling my body language. But that’s probably not true. God has changed my heart to see His people
differently.
to think I have improved over the years at controlling my body language. But that’s probably not true. God has changed my heart to see His people
differently.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give
you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. By this everyone will know that
you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. By this everyone will know that
you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
