After having several encounters with someone whose belief system radically opposed my belief in Jesus as a loving Perfect Creator, my flesh said be self-righteous, be judgmental, be angry.
But those feelings oppose Jesus, just as the individuals’ beliefs did.
Fighting those feelings, and yielding to Jesus, I spent time with the person. I listened, identified our similarities shared food with them and had countless conversations.
Eventually, I found that the person had been physically and verbally abused by a family member who said they were a Christian. This was an open door to share God’s love and expose the harm they suffered as something God would never approve.
Oddly enough, weeks later, Jesus introduced me to someone else whose belief system opposed Jesus as a loving perfect Creator. The first experience helped prepare me for the second. The fight to be self-righteous and judgmental was over before it began. I allowed Jesus to love through me, in patience, kindness and truth.
Don’t think this type of experience is just for me, it’s for you too. The world is filled with hurt and confused people.
You probably know at least one person whose lifestyle radically opposes Jesus. Pray that Jesus will help you radically love them, just as He radically loves you and me.
God soooooo loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:17) But how will the world know this unless we yield to Jesus and love radically?
