Senior Living - January 5, 2017

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17

There's a story that tells of General Robert E. Lee, a devoted follower of Jesus, who visited a church in Washington, D.C. soon after the Civil War ended. During the time of communion in the service, he knelt beside a black man. A friend of his later said to him, "How could you do something like that?"

Lee humbly replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."

Prejudice, bitterness, anger, and hatred are uprooted in front of the powerful cross of Calvary on which Jesus died. Christians should be the one group of people who harbor none of these things in their hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status. Jesus offers salvation to all people!

It's easy to lose sight of this sometimes. But when we show partiality, we fail to realize that the Lord loves all people and desires for all to come to know Him as their Savior. Christians are no better than any other group of people. The only difference is that we have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus…we are the recipients of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.

Seek to see all people as God sees them—with love and compassion. Have you ever put yourself on a pedestal because you can call yourself a Christian? Or do you kneel before the Lord in humility each day and thank Him for dying on the cross for your sins, so that you—a sinner—could have eternal life with Him?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for forgiveness if you have let prejudice, bitterness, and anger fill your heart. And pray that He would fill your heart with His love and compassion. 

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