Good day
This morning I was reading the bible and Matthew 18:21-35 stood out and it made me think of God's love towards us.
Just how faithful, merciful, good, caring, patient and loving God is towards us - in spite of our works (activities or involvement in church; good deeds; how often we pray or read the bible or attend church; whether we showed love to others or not; whether we were angry or upset with someone, or spoke rudely to someone or were unkind ... the list can go on) - But the point i'm making is that God loves us, and treats us the way He does, in spite of our good or bad behaviour.
It made me consider that passage again and made me ask myself if there are times when i'm quick to judge others, or speak badly about them, or criticize them, or get offended by them - all because i'm comparing my actions to theirs and judging them in the process - why is my attitude towards them depended upon their actions or beliefs. Why is my care, concern, love, patience, mercy towards them depended upon whether I agree with them or not, or even if I like them or not?
Then I said Lord, forgive me. Who am I to judge or compare myself to others. Who am I to be proud as though I've ever accomplished anything for you, when it's You who has done it all through me. You're the One that blesses me, looks after me, promotes me, protects me, given me health, a home, family, friends, a job, a house, an income, an assignment, purpose and plan for my life - and You complete that assignment, purpose and plan through me - all by Your grace and anointing! ... What have I ever accomplished or achieved that You haven't done through me, or granted me to have. It's all because of You! Everything I am, and all that I have, is because of my relationship and covenant with You - and even that! - YOU MADE AVAILABLE AND POSSIBLE TO HAVE!
With that in mind ... how can I now turn around and say anything, against anyone for that matter ... when we're all a work in progress by the grace of God, and we're all children of God, whom He loves and died for in order to have that same relationship with us all.
Thank you Lord!
Amen