Compassionate Remembrance!

We should be encouraged as we recognize Christian growth is taking place in our life, but there is also the need to be careful of what it does to our attitude. Someone has said, “The holier-than-thou attitude may be due to virtue, but it is usually caused by a poor memory.” [source: sentence sermons] We should always strive to live virtuous lives. However, we need to also be honest about where we’ve been as well as the fact we still have our struggles and maturity in Christ is an ongoing process.

Paul stated the reality for us all when he wrote…
“for ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD,” ( Romans 3:23 ESV)

Everyone of us is in need of forgiveness and the power of the blood of Jesus to take care of our sins. Paul was making it clear to his readers that whether they be Jew or Gentile they were all in the same boat. Forgetting we have been cleansed from former sins is a blindness or nearsightedness ( 2 Peter 1:9) that often takes brotherly kindness out of the equation. Having accepted the forgiveness of God and moved repentantly from those sins is one of the ways we become better suited for encouraging others to do the same. It is the remembrance of where we have been that aids in keeping us HUMBLE as well as causing us to exercise some COMPASSION and PATIENCE as we try to encourage and exhort others toward godly living.

Just as all people do not grow physically at the same rate, so it is true spiritually. However growth should be encouraged and expected. Therefore, “speaking the truth in love” ( Ephesians 4:15) let us encourage others toward growing up in Christ. Being COMPASSIONATE and MERCIFUL with others reveals our own appreciation for having received those gifts from God. Rather than tearing down, let us strive to build others up toward godly living.

Have a great day GROWING AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TOWARD HOLINESS!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Attitudes