We look for flaws in people. It's how we think. We form first impressions of people in seconds. Our first impressions can be wildly wrong.
Today, we’re going to reveal how to see people the way Jesus sees them.
Then, you will be able to love them the way He does.
We need Christ’s Character to Do God’s Work
Earnest Christians ask God to show them His will and purpose for their lives. While we wait for God to give us assignments, God often waits for us to develop the Christlike character to carry out those assignments.
Everything God Does is In and Through the Supernatural Power of His Love
Until we learn to see others through God’s eyes of love and grace, we won’t be able to love people with God’s love.
The primary purpose of our lives is to become like Jesus, who loved us with the greatest love a man can have – a sacrificial love. He loved us so much that he died so we could live and return to God’s family.
2nd command, Jesus said, is to love our neighbor as ourselves.
But We Have a Problem
We look for flaws in people. It's how we think - fallen man thinking.
We form opinions of people in seconds. We look at their appearance, their facial expression, the way they talk, some little thing they do (that reminds me of cousin Fred who was the worst liar!).
Our opinions are often wrong.
Good people can behave badly. Karen, my wife, often says, "She must be in a lot of pain." when someone does something really outrageous. And she is right. Often, that is what is happening.
Finally, God loves evil people as much as He loves his sons and daughters. God sees the possibilities of redemption in each of our lives.
God looks for potential. He knows the plans He has for us. Good plans. Amazing things we can’t even imagine.
God comes alongside flawed, broken people and calls out their potential.
He calls us up to who we could be.
God may need to call us out - to tell us something we’re doing that isn't right, but He won't leave us there, smarting from a mental spanking.
God isn't the accuser. Satan is.
God convicts our hearts - he shows us what is wrong and calls and encourages us that that isn't who we are. He calls us to our higher identity, in Christ.
Today’s Activation: Consider Others Better Than Yourself
Activation – the process of making active, energizing
Doing this activation activates these scriptures – you live them out and they become a deeper part of you.
Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Romans 12:16 EXB
Live in ·peace [harmony] with each other. Do not be ·proud [arrogant; haughty], but ·make friends with those who seem unimportant [associate with the humble/those of low social status; or be willing to do lowly tasks]. Do not think how ·smart [wise; superior] you are.
Have you ever practiced considering others better than yourself?
I didn’t think so. If you have, wow! I’m impressed.
Action Steps:
*Reread these scriptures several times today.
**Choose 2-3 people in your life. Choose people you don’t have a high opinion of, or even people you really don’t like.
**Ask Jesus, “Jesus, what do you like about ________”
Listen. Write down what He said.
**Ask, “Jesus, show me who they could be.”
***Pray for each person.
“Jesus, forgive me for thinking so badly about ______________. Continue to show me your heart for him/her. Show me how to pray for them.” Now, pray what Jesus showed you.
And watch your heart change as you consider who those people are and the potential of their lives.