“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
As a creature made by God, we are called mankind. As a creature made in the image of God we must each be a kind man.
“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20
I suppose many of us, if we were asked, “is it right for a believer to want to be influential,” would say no. We would think, “we must be humble and stay in the background.” Consider this, each of us need to be influential. As far as humility, we must be humble in our influence. Desire to be influential, so influential that you can convert a sinner from his error and save his soul from death.
“But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20
Though you will not find the word “surrender” in the KJV Bible, the principle is seen in many places. The words, “repent” and “turn to God” allude to that principle. That is what the Christian life is, it is a life that is surrendered to the Lord. If it wasn’t for man’s pride, surrendering would be one of the easiest things he could ever do.
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” I Corinthians 15:34
Let me ask you, “Who is the one who can live a righteous life, the sinner or the one who has been awaken to righteousness?” You cannot make yourself saved by doing righteousness, but once you are saved and declared righteous, you can actually walk in righteousness.
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” I Thessalonians 4:9
My good evangelist friend David Owens made a powerful statement to me one day. He said, “Man’s love gives people what they want; God’s love gives people what they need.”
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” I Corinthians 14:1
If you pursue love, then it is only natural that you will desire spiritual gifts so you can bless your brethren.
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1
At first it may sound arrogant for any of you to say to anyone, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” But when it comes down to it, every one of you who has walked with the Lord for several years should be able to say that. If not, you need to ask yourself why.
“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 17So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.” Ruth 2:15-17
The God loving Christian will thank God and rejoice for the blessing of being able to glean amongst the abundance. The lazy self-serving Christian will say, “You mean I have to do my own gleaning?
“That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.” Deuteronomy 6:2
A grandson may reject grandpa’s traditions and “old fashioned” way of doing things. However, there is one thing that never changes from generation to generation; nor can you improve on it or scale it down. It is the statutes and commandments of the Lord.
“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” Luke 14:16-20
The word “I” is said 8 times in this passage of scriptures. “I” always gets in the way of the will of God.
