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The Poem
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.....
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God! held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'
LOVING THE UNLOVABLE
"He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love."
1 John 4:8
Loving the unlovely -- God did that for you!
Just because someone is different from us does not mean we should dismiss them or consider them inferior.
You do not want to be judged or dismissed because of your color, culture or any other differences; so do not do it to others!
Since God's Word is very clear about us not becoming like others in their sinful practices, we are
tempted to conclude that somehow we are better than they are. That is sin in itself. On the other hand, we
fear that if we accept them we ae endorsing their sin. No, the truth lies in remaining respectful and accepting
of others in the same way that Jesus did. Whether it was racial differences (Samaritians), lifestyle differences (the
woman at the well), or class differences (Nicodemus), Jesus managed to love people as they were,
while inspiring them to a higher standard.
It's easy to say, 'love the sinner while hating the sin,' but living it out requires practice, patience,
understanding, and reliance on our Heavenly Father's guidance. You can work alongside someone who is having an affair,
while praying for them and not having one yourself. Remember, we ourselves were once sinners, now saved by the grace
of God. Avoid the trap of self-righteousness and act with humility and grace when you encounter someone whose lifestyle
makes you uncomfortable. Learn from them as much as possible. Allow them to dispel your preconceptions and stereotypes.
Begin to see
them not as a collection of demographic differences, but as people loved by God; people who need the same grace you received!
(Author unknown)
Sent from Carisse,
Irving TX.
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