A few Christians bug me. Not a nice thing to say? Like any family, we share what bothers us about “Aunt Sally” and still love her anyway, right? Here is what bothers me about a few Christians:
Why is it that when they feel the Lord is talking to them through His word, it always seems to be a positive, promise-giving scripture?
Think about it.
How often has someone confided in you that God gave them a scripture like Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Or, Proverbs 23:20-21 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
I’d probably do a back-flip if someone came up to me and shared a few verses like the ones above.
Recently, our pastor has been teaching on 1 Corinthians 13 – The LOVE Chapter. Even the non-believer has heard those scripture verses at every wedding they’ve ever attended. But, the part that stuck me like hot needles was this: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. He went on to teach about the pitfalls of pride and a self-seeking nature.
Yep, I was convicted.
Did I mention that our pastor followed 1 Corinthians 13 up with a side-order of Philippians 2?
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippisans 2:3-4
When I thought back over my week, I realized there were quite a few selfish me-moments I’d been guilty of. Moments that caused an argument with my husband, frustrations with me, and discouragement over those things I didn’t think were going my way.
Me and God had some good one-on-one confession time Sunday morning.
Yesterday, I realized it had been quite a few days since I’d taken time, good quality time to seek Him. In my prayer journal I asked the Lord to give me a scripture from Him, something I could hang onto this week. Then I realized, He had already given me one Sunday, “Love does not boast, it is not proud.” Bummer.
A few minutes later, I put away my journal and sat down with my youngest two. Before they left for school we read their children’s devotion for the morning. What do you think the verse for the day was?
“Love does not boast, it is not proud.” 1Corinthians 13:4b
Wonderful.
God was getting my attention. And, unlike those few Christians who bug me, I won’t share only His promises of blessing and eternal life.
I’ll be real and straight-forward with you.
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