Ephesians 5:2 – and walk in
love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:5 – For you may
be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is
covetous, an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ.
Ephesians 5:7-9 –
Therefore do not become partners with them for at one time you were darkness
but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of
light is found in all that is good and right and true.
The
whole chapter of Ephesians 5:1-21, which you should read, tells how to walk in
love. Lately I have been struggling with how to love people who are sometimes
unlovely. I have some friends that I care about, people I love that are
struggling in life and being a new believer I want to rescue them. It’s my
nature. I have been struggling with how to respond to them and how to be
responsible to myself as well. Many times in my life I have put myself and my
family in a bad spot because I wanted to rescue someone and really wasn’t
stable enough to put myself in that position. I find me asking myself, “What
would you tell one of your kids if they asked you what to do if they were in
that situation?” I’d tell them that the best thing to do is to lead by example.
Offer their hand if they could do so without putting themselves in harm’s way.
Sometimes I struggle with decisions and right and wrong, but if I ask myself
what would I tell one of my kids if they were in the same position, that is
usually a pretty good model for what is right for me as well because I would
never give one of my children advice that I thought was wrong. However, because
of selfishness and a few other things, pride, maybe desire, I might take more
upon myself than I would advise my kids because I want to think that I can do
things that would be a bit risky and they can’t. It really isn’t wise for me to
do anything risky. If I fall or stumble, where will that leave them? What can I
possibly do for someone else if I am not on my game?
Prayer: Teach
me how to be responsible to myself Lord and not let myself get run through the
ringer even if it is for an honorable reason. Show me where the line is Lord
between love and responsible.
Random Thought: The
one thing I don’t want to do is let myself get into a spot that I am neither
emotionally or spiritually ready to handle alone. I have a family and friends
that won’t benefit at all if I fall and can’t pursue any more of the things of
God.
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