30 January, 2016
Because I’m Quirky Too
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
I love this verse. And the reason I love this verse isn’t so much because it’s easy and fun to follow, but it’s because I love it when the actions in this verse are directed at me. And because I have benefitted from receiving gentleness, patience, generosity and love from other people and, most of all, consistently and constantly from God himself, I really am motivated to treat others the way I have been (and don’t deserve to be) treated.
God doesn’t like it when something good has been extended to us but then we don’t dole it out in return to others. In Matthew 18:23-35 Jesus describes a scenario where a man who was forgiven a great debt turned around and arrested another man who was owed a smaller amount of money. The forgiver of the great debt was furious when he found out that the man who received mercy extended no mercy. The fool in this story is clear, and I don’t want to be that guy.
People are quirky. Everyone is broken in some area of their life. How awful for me to not extend someone mercy in the area of their quirk just because my quirk doesn’t happen to be in that area. I need to make allowances for other people’s faults because I am in need of people to make allowances for mine!
This certainly doesn’t mean sinful behavior is running the show. Quite the contrary. Believers are simply called to share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ (see Galatians 6:1-3). And making allowances for others is a good way to do just that.
Dear God,
First of all, thank you SO much for not holding the things I do wrong and the quirks I still have against me. Instead you work on me while forgiving me and loving me the whole time. I love what acceptance feels like and the freedom that comes with it. Help me not to shun others while you work on areas of their lives. Help me to live with everyone in your Family with the understanding you extend to me. I do not want to be like the unforgiving man with debts. I want to be generous and merciful because that’s what you do for me. And I just can’t thank you enough. What a relief you bring to my heart every day. I love you so much! And I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Because I’m Quirky Too
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
I love this verse. And the reason I love this verse isn’t so much because it’s easy and fun to follow, but it’s because I love it when the actions in this verse are directed at me. And because I have benefitted from receiving gentleness, patience, generosity and love from other people and, most of all, consistently and constantly from God himself, I really am motivated to treat others the way I have been (and don’t deserve to be) treated.
God doesn’t like it when something good has been extended to us but then we don’t dole it out in return to others. In Matthew 18:23-35 Jesus describes a scenario where a man who was forgiven a great debt turned around and arrested another man who was owed a smaller amount of money. The forgiver of the great debt was furious when he found out that the man who received mercy extended no mercy. The fool in this story is clear, and I don’t want to be that guy.
People are quirky. Everyone is broken in some area of their life. How awful for me to not extend someone mercy in the area of their quirk just because my quirk doesn’t happen to be in that area. I need to make allowances for other people’s faults because I am in need of people to make allowances for mine!
This certainly doesn’t mean sinful behavior is running the show. Quite the contrary. Believers are simply called to share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ (see Galatians 6:1-3). And making allowances for others is a good way to do just that.
Dear God,
First of all, thank you SO much for not holding the things I do wrong and the quirks I still have against me. Instead you work on me while forgiving me and loving me the whole time. I love what acceptance feels like and the freedom that comes with it. Help me not to shun others while you work on areas of their lives. Help me to live with everyone in your Family with the understanding you extend to me. I do not want to be like the unforgiving man with debts. I want to be generous and merciful because that’s what you do for me. And I just can’t thank you enough. What a relief you bring to my heart every day. I love you so much! And I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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