We had an ‘incident’ at church yesterday morning, that sent Jon and me home fully torqued off. I was ready to rant this morning. Last night at the evening service, Jon had opportunity to speak to party involved. (It wasn’t planned at all. The other person opened the door, and my husband who has the gift of discernment, walked through it.) This person was crushed by the results and perception of his actions. They were the opposite of his intentions.
It reinforced what God said about David- “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then there’s 1 Corinthians 13:5 – “Love thinks no evil.” Love gives the benefit of the doubt, doesn’t jump to conclusions. And when you put that with John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Anyone can get ticked off, and it seems it especially easy with our brothers and sisters, but the fact is, Christ calls us to a higher standard, a much higher standard. Had I ranted yesterday, not only would I have torn down a fellow believer – even if the person never knew about it- but I would have missed the lesson that came instead. Once again, Christ redeemed my sin.