Love the Sinner
“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 Luke 10:27
I love the writings of Matthew Paul Turner I've read both of his books and he usually has an article once a week in Relevant Magazine
I read his article in Relevant Magazine this morning How many times have you been at church and heard complaints about kids in the youth group..how they're dressed,their hair, their earrings, their music,their language I know I have been guilty with the language I get on my own kids for using the word "sucks" alot I'm not saying you have to agree or support use of bad language but if you're constantly criticizing what they do wrong and not giving encouragement and love.. you will have no impact on them.. they won't listen to you or respect you.. in fact they'll avoid you and possibly even the church
"Christians today spend too much time analyzing and judging the lifestyles of people rather than looking for a way to love them. What Dennis said to me made sense then—and it’s a part of my lifestyle now. I was putting too much time and effort into seeking out the “sin” of those kids instead of looking for an opportunity to show them the unconditional love of Christ.
All of us need to lighten up with those who don’t know Jesus. How can we expect people who are not Christian to act like or take on the characteristics of Christians? We can’t enforce that. But we can seek out opportunities to love them. And the need for love is all around us. All we must do is ask Jesus to open our eyes and give us the ability to see humanity as He sees it.
However, asking God to open your eyes may be overwhelming at first. So, beware. When humans begin to truly see the world around us with the eyes of Christ, the simple things in life look differently. You’ll find yourself aching over situations you once ignored. Your heart will reach out to those who would have once walked by. You’ll begin to see people not as strangers, but as men and women who might need you to engage them. A simple elevator ride to the fourteenth floor becomes an opportunity to meet people and create relationships. Remember, you might be the only representation of Christ that person sees for the next 24 hours—learn to love them. Ask God for the ability to truly love them."
Matthew Paul Turner is the author of The Coffeehouse Gospel and The Christian Culture Survival Guide. You can contact him at matthew@matthewpaulturner.com .]
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Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 Luke 10:27
I love the writings of Matthew Paul Turner I've read both of his books and he usually has an article once a week in Relevant Magazine
I read his article in Relevant Magazine this morning How many times have you been at church and heard complaints about kids in the youth group..how they're dressed,their hair, their earrings, their music,their language I know I have been guilty with the language I get on my own kids for using the word "sucks" alot I'm not saying you have to agree or support use of bad language but if you're constantly criticizing what they do wrong and not giving encouragement and love.. you will have no impact on them.. they won't listen to you or respect you.. in fact they'll avoid you and possibly even the church
"Christians today spend too much time analyzing and judging the lifestyles of people rather than looking for a way to love them. What Dennis said to me made sense then—and it’s a part of my lifestyle now. I was putting too much time and effort into seeking out the “sin” of those kids instead of looking for an opportunity to show them the unconditional love of Christ.
All of us need to lighten up with those who don’t know Jesus. How can we expect people who are not Christian to act like or take on the characteristics of Christians? We can’t enforce that. But we can seek out opportunities to love them. And the need for love is all around us. All we must do is ask Jesus to open our eyes and give us the ability to see humanity as He sees it.
However, asking God to open your eyes may be overwhelming at first. So, beware. When humans begin to truly see the world around us with the eyes of Christ, the simple things in life look differently. You’ll find yourself aching over situations you once ignored. Your heart will reach out to those who would have once walked by. You’ll begin to see people not as strangers, but as men and women who might need you to engage them. A simple elevator ride to the fourteenth floor becomes an opportunity to meet people and create relationships. Remember, you might be the only representation of Christ that person sees for the next 24 hours—learn to love them. Ask God for the ability to truly love them."
Matthew Paul Turner is the author of The Coffeehouse Gospel and The Christian Culture Survival Guide. You can contact him at matthew@matthewpaulturner.com .]
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posted by Rochelle @ 6:45 AM
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