Loving Your Offender
Café Menu for Monday, June 16, 2014
Today’s Special is: Loving Like Jesus Even When You’ve Been Hurt
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Savannah Parvu
Main Ingredient:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…
Matthew 7:12 NIV
Entrée:
When someone says or does something that offends us, it’s hard to not let our flesh take over and react based upon our feelings rather than what we know to be true. It’s hard not to say or do something negative in an attempt to hurt them the way they hurt us.
It’s almost as if it’s natural to automatically wrongly judge one’s motives and heart when they do something that hurts or offends us. I have caught myself thinking things like, “They must not be walking with God.” or “What kind of Christians do they think they are?”.
Scripture tells us that we need to do to others what we would have them do to us.
If I am having a bad day and I say or do something that hurts or offends someone, that doesn’t necessarily mean I meant for it to come across that way or be perceived in that manner. When someone says or does something that offends me, I need to consider what could be going on to make them say or do what they did. It’s not my position to wrongly judge them or look down upon them because of what they said or did. It could be the only way they know how to relate.
As hard as it can be at times, it’s our job to love people just as Jesus did, which means we are to treat them that way. It won’t always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it and it’s the right thing to do.
Take Out:
Think about ways you can respond in a positive manner the next time someone offends you.
Dessert:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Help us to respond differently when someone offends or hurts us. Help us to not judge negatively, but rather love and have compassion for our offender. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2014 by Savannah Parvu. All rights reserved.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Pull up a chair… He’s been waiting for you.
Need a refill? Please join us at the Encouragement Café with Luann and Friends.
The conversation at the Café is always hot and fresh. We invite you to listen in as Luann and Friends gather around the table to discuss everyday life.
Comfort food for your soul is always on our menu, and friends are always close enough to hug. We invite you to join us daily, as our writer’s share how the Lord continues to transform them into His glorious image.
Still craving more…Join us as we grow together in grace and truth through our online bible study.
Stop by Encouragement Café and listen as the girls share life. Find podcasts, videos, Bible studies, prayer, resources and daily helpings of hope, laughter and friendship around our table. We've saved a seat just for you!