This was a sermon from a few weeks ago at church that I thought I'd share :)
Even Christians are just as likely to let others down. Jesus continued to experience letdown from others even though He was sinless and perfect. "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." Isaiah 53:3 Even Jesus' friends bolted and His closest follower betrayed Him.
Several things can result from relational letdowns:
1. Hard Heart - we don't want to be hurt again
2. Prideful spirit
3. Justifiable Sin - there's no such thing, but we think it's okay because of what we've suffered
4. Revengeful Attitude - we enjoy when something bad happens to those who wrong us
So, how do we respond? What do we do? We ask God to help us:
1. To live with thicker skin. "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 What if Jesus had been ultra sensitive? He couldn't have lived God's will. We can't either when we live for the approval of others. We have to shake it off and step up. People will let you down, so stop hoping they won't. People cannot meet your needs, so stop hoping they will. Only God can meet your needs. Your identity is in Him, not in what others think or do. "When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly." 1 Corinthians 4:12-13
2. To love with a softer heart. Jesus said love God and love others. We are sometimes the most guarded people and though Jesus had every reason to be that way, He wasn't. When man was at his worst, Jesus was at His best. At the greatest letdown in history, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
We need to allow God to do what only He can do. Let Him replace your hard heart. The essence of the gospel is to let God do what only He can......to transform by His grace and mercy. It's not about what we have done, but what He has done for us. Trust Him - people will let you down, but He never will!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
What a wonderful post Kristin! I would have loved to have heard this message!
I've struggled with my emotions and feelings when others have hurt me or let me down. It's awesome to know the Lord never will and He'll take care of the circumstances surrounding our hurt, even though it does take awhile to heal.
Somedays are still hard but each day gets better and the Lord is helping me to continue to love those who refuse to love me.
That is so true Kristin....people will let us down. And it is also sad but true that we will let people down at times in our lives too.
I do praise God that He will always help us when we give it all to Him. And that we can always trust Him.
We need to forgive others...and also forgive ourselves...and let God do His work in us...and through us.
Love, Momma
Post a Comment