Showing Grace Toward Those Who Differ With You
"Grow in... grace." 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV
Think how much happier and more energized you would be if you weren't trying to control people and straighten them out. One author writes: "Give your loved ones the dignity of making their own mistakes and learning from them. If you're always getting into someone else's business, you're not only going to burn out, you're hindering God from working in their lives... they belong to Him, not you!" In the New Testament, when legalistic Jewish believers tried to impose kosher laws on Gentile believers, Paul wrote, "Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't... must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them" (Romans 14:3 NLT). Sometimes in trying to be holy, we come across as harsh. Just because you don't feel at liberty to do something doesn't give you the right to condemn those who do - unless it's something clearly prohibited in Scripture. Having strong opinions doesn't give you the right to impose them on others. Remember, you can have the right theology and the wrong attitude. Gladys M. Hunt writes: "Acceptance means you're valuable just as you are... you can talk about how you feel... and why - and someone really cares... you can try out new ideas without being shot down... you can even express heretical thoughts and discuss them with intelligent questioning. You feel safe. No one will pronounce judgment... even though they don't agree with you. It doesn't mean you'll never be corrected... it simply means it's safe to be you." When it comes to the truth, stand fast! But when it comes to nonessentials like personal preferences, customs, and traditions, "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:5 NKJV).
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Think how much happier and more energized you would be if you weren't trying to control people and straighten them out. One author writes: "Give your loved ones the dignity of making their own mistakes and learning from them. If you're always getting into someone else's business, you're not only going to burn out, you're hindering God from working in their lives... they belong to Him, not you!" In the New Testament, when legalistic Jewish believers tried to impose kosher laws on Gentile believers, Paul wrote, "Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't... must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them" (Romans 14:3 NLT). Sometimes in trying to be holy, we come across as harsh. Just because you don't feel at liberty to do something doesn't give you the right to condemn those who do - unless it's something clearly prohibited in Scripture. Having strong opinions doesn't give you the right to impose them on others. Remember, you can have the right theology and the wrong attitude. Gladys M. Hunt writes: "Acceptance means you're valuable just as you are... you can talk about how you feel... and why - and someone really cares... you can try out new ideas without being shot down... you can even express heretical thoughts and discuss them with intelligent questioning. You feel safe. No one will pronounce judgment... even though they don't agree with you. It doesn't mean you'll never be corrected... it simply means it's safe to be you." When it comes to the truth, stand fast! But when it comes to nonessentials like personal preferences, customs, and traditions, "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:5 NKJV).
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
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2023
January
Enjoy Each Day Of This New Year (1)Enjoy Each Day Of This New Year (2)This Year Think "Possible" (1)This Year Think "Possible" (2)This Year Think "Possible" (3)Let God Lead YouGod Is Your ProviderYour Overflowing Cup Of BlessingSteps To Overcoming Your WorriesFocus On Your God-Given VisionThe Story Of Your BibleHow God Leads UsHow Jesus Dealt With SinAre You Joy-Deprived?It's Time To Pray (1)It's Time To Pray (2)Faith That Brings ResultsBe Faithful To God At WorkWhen Your Best Isn't Good EnoughToday, Give Your Problem To GodSteps To Forgiveness (1)Steps To Forgiveness (2)The Joys Of Heaven (1)The Joys Of Heaven (2)The Joys Of Heaven (3)Learn To Control Your AngerSeek God For DirectionTry A Power NapGo To The Right SourceHow God Sees YouYou Have To "Walk Out" The Process
February
Guard These Three Areas of VulnerabilitySimplify Your LifeOnward and UpwardYou Need Each Other (1)You Need Each Other (2)You Need Each Other (3)Showing Grace Toward Those Who Differ With YouAre You Having a Nighttime Experience?A Heart Filled With GoodnessChrist's Love for YouGive God All the GloryYou're a ReflectorYou Must Care for the Needy (1)You Must Care for the Needy (2)You Must Care for the Needy (3)Don't Give Up on Your SaulRecovering From BurnoutSetting Captives Free (1)Setting Captives Free (2)He Will Do It AgainBeware of Self-PityToday, Choose the Right AttitudeBuild a Relationship with Your Children"Servants" for LifeChange Your ExpectationsStart Memorizing ScripturesChrist is Coming Again!Friendship
March
Experiencing God's Presence And PleasureDon't Wait; Enjoy Your Life NowMoney Matters In MarriageUse Your God-Given CreativityA Prayer Of ForgivenessWhen God Sends You An Angel (1)When God Sends You An Angel (2)When God Sends You An Angel (3)When God Sends You An Angel (4)A Prayer For Financial ContentmentA Prayer Of Commitment To GodHaving A Vision For Your LifeChange Your Thinking, Change Your Life (1)Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life (2)Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life (3)Does It Glorify God?Lessons From A Broken HeartWhat You Must give UpYou Need OthersRebuilding Your Marriage (1)Rebuilding Your Marriage (2)Rebuilding Your Marriage (3)Rebuilding Your Marriage (4)Through Christ, You Can Do ItDepend More On GodStart Saying, "I Can"Refuse To Live In Fear (1)Refuse To Live In Fear (2)Refuse To Live In Fear (3)Refuse To Live In Fear (4)Prepare In Advance
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