Remember When You Were Spiritually Lost
Sometimes believers forget that there was a time when they were spiritually lost. Because of this, we can become harsh or judgmental toward people who are not spiritually where we are.
But we must remember that God showed us grace, mercy, and patience when we were disobedient. We are no better than those who are spiritually lost or those who do not yet know much about the Bible.
Knowledge without love can lead to pride.
I Corinthians 8:1 (NIV)
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
As believers, we are called to encourage one another, not condemn one another.
Hebrews 10:24
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
We should judge according to the Word of God, but it must always be done in love and humility.
Galatians 6:1–5 (Amplified)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when in fact he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Each one should examine his own actions, attitudes, and behavior. Then he can take personal satisfaction in doing what is right without comparing himself to someone else. For each person will have to bear responsibility for his own actions.
Be the Light to Those Who Don’t Know God
Our lives should reflect Christ. Our lives speak louder than the scriptures we quote.
Matthew 5:14–16 (ERV)
You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for everyone in the house.
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
Jesus also taught that people are recognized by their actions.
Matthew 7:16–20 (NLT)
You can identify them by their fruit—that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.
Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
God’s desire is not condemnation but salvation.
John 3:17 (Amplified)
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Salvation Is by Grace
We only receive salvation through faith in Jesus, not by our works or by how long we have been saved.
Ephesians 2:8–10 (NLT)
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Elder Brother of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15:25–32 (The Message)
25–27 “All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day’s work was done, he came in. As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, ‘Your brother has come home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.’
28–30 “The older brother stomped off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, ‘Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief. Yet you have never thrown a party for me and my friends. But when this son of yours who has wasted your money on prostitutes comes home, you go all out with a feast!’
31–32 “His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he is alive! He was lost, and now he is found!’”
Many of us who have been saved for a while sometimes act like this older brother. When a person who has lived a wild life comes to God, repents, and immediately begins to receive God’s blessings, we may complain. We may say, “I have been living right and saved for years. How is this person already being blessed?”
We may say, “I have been fasting and praying and my breakthrough hasn’t come yet, but this person is already being blessed.”
The truth is, we all have the same benefits when we receive Jesus—whether we have been saved for many years or have just received Him. God knows the plans He has for our lives. We must trust Him and allow Him to examine our hearts.
The greatest commandment is love, because God is love, and faith works through love. We become more like God when we walk in love.
Prayer
Thank You, God, for all of the benefits of receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I repent for feeling entitled just because I have been saved for a long time. Lord, search my heart and my motives.
Help me to walk in love so that people can see the light of God flowing through me and glorify my Heavenly Father.
Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Let my life be proof of Your love.
You know the plans You have for me—plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
🙏 Thank you for reading.
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