THANKFUL

Friday, February 11, 2022

Lord, people who don’t know You misunderstand Your followers. They cannot understand how a man crucified on a cross over two thousand years ago changes lives today. How does an ancient book written by “simple-minded” men transform people when the world today is totally different from their ancient world? Christians are imperfect as everyone else, but naysayers insist that unless a Christ-follower’s behavior is unrealistically perfect, we’re just hypocrites. Maybe they don’t understand Christ-followers because they don’t understand Your concept of forgiveness with grace. Maybe they don’t understand Christ-followers because they don’t understand their spiritual dearth. Perhaps their pride won’t allow them to recognize that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) includes them. They fail to see that John 3:16, “whosoever believes in Him [Jesus] will not perish but have everlasting life” also includes them. Human nature hasn’t changed over several millennium. “The Lord doesn’t see thing the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) is as relevant today as it was when the “simple-minded” scribes penned that truth in ancient times. Lord, help our unbelieving friends to see who You really are so they can join the Kingdom of God. And for all Your followers, draw us deeper into Your truths.

For Your glory in all things, Jesus. Amen