Day 5
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone Titus 3:2Hurt or disappointment has a way of colouring every memory, every action so much that it begins to feel justifiable to us when we speak ill of others. Think about the person that has disappointed you the most, who comes to mind? What have you thought or said about them to others? For me sometimes, it’s my dad, an ex boyfriend, but many times it’s myself. There are many opportunities and justifications to be critical but the Bible is asking to come up to a higher place.
The world’s standards are ’do me, i do you, God no go vex’. But we do not abide by those standards, we are to speak evil of no one and show full consideration toward everyone (uh huh even the other political party supporters, your annoying maid or driver, those that cut you off on the street, corrupt leaders, and the list goes on and on).
We are saved to do good works, to show forth the goodness of our Heavenly Father. The kind of God we serve sent His precious Son to come to die for you and me when we were still sinners.
As recipients of grace, we have no standing to malign others (Titus 3:3)
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and He died for sinners, the onus is on us to be like Him and show consideration and kindness to those that are still in sin (Titus 3:4-8).
I have previously shared some of my stories and the process it took me to say yes. Someone watching from the outside may think it doesn’t take much effort but it does. It’s a choice, decide in your heart to make it 100% of the time. Determine that you’ll see everyone the way God sees them, His precious children that He sent His Son to die for. He looks at each and everyone of us with love even when we fall. Let's show that same grace and gentleness to everyone including ourselves.
There are so many terrible things happening in the world today, you just have to turn on the TV or scroll through social media to be bombarded with chaos and pain. Let us spread the good news and shine a bright light in this dark world. We cannot do that if we are part of the people spreading hurt and pain. Be the light and salt.
Different, consecrated, set apart. Arise, shine, for your light is come.
I’ll leave us with some gems from Bob Goff’s book ‘Everybody Always’ (read it if you can, it is very good)
“Loving people the way Jesus did means constantly being misunderstood but people who are becoming love don’t care. They’ll do whatever it takes to reach whoever is hurting”
“Don’t give into the pressure of being like each other, be like Jesus”
“Keep fighting for the ones who haven’t felt included yet, even if they creep you out. They are your brothers and sisters. Invite them to the party. If they say no, it’s just because they’re scared, invite them again”
Definition
Malign: speak about (someone) in a spitefully critical manner.