A Sabbath train of thought

[LifeHiscost]

With the help of some others it came to my attention that for a number of years, too many to admit, I had been making an effort to influence or actually change the church (we who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord) for the better. In some cases it actually helped some. In other cases it infuriated individuals, for reasons that I surmised, but only they could be sure about.

In most of those cases I held myself guiltless of intentional offense, though in self defense my poor memory may be my best defense. OTOH would there be a better way of helping to mould present day believers (the body of Christ) to a higher standard of conduct in preparation to meet Jesus. I came up with one way or maybe more.

First, don't ask others to be perfect until I'm perfect myself.

Second, let the Holy Spirit make the changes, which I believe is a responsibility He's accepted anyway, and includes for me as well as for others.

Third, pray for the gift of forgiveness, which is needed as an ongoing attribute if you wish to influence people to accept Jesus, and which our Father says if we don't give others, He won't extend His forgiveness to us.

I'm going to add a couple of Scriptures, I believe to be inspired, to indicate at least some of our Father's desires spoken of to this end.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48 KJV

To "be perfect" is an act of creation. The same as "be born again", which means I'm going to have to depend on God to provide.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." Jeremiah 13:23 KJV

Some may argue they've never done any evil and I can only suggest that's something needing to be talked over with Him. OTOH for me, I just trust in the continuous cleansing of Jesus blood to ensure I'm listed in the Lamb's book of life.

"Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" Matthew 18:7 NKJV

There is that need for a continual forgiving spirit. If we don't have it, for whatever reason, we need to ask our Father for it. For if we don't give it, that unforgiving spirit will come around and bite us in the butt when we need forgiveness the most.

Our Father in Heaven is the One to ask for it, for He has it and has already given us His forgiveness.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:17 KJV

God's blessings!

[fccool]

I think that we do some of the worst things imaginable for the "good" of others (so we claim). I certainly noticed it in me. As you've pointed out, we need to realize who we are before trying to change others for the best. It's I who needs help and needs to be taught most of the time .