Names of God: Through Thanksgiving & Christmasಮಾದರಿ

Isaiah prophesies and gives a vivid description of the painful fate of Jesus Christ on our behalf.  His passion and innocent suffering was for all people.  We have a great need for Jesus Christ. Without Christ, human nature will have us oppose God, will serve ourselves, and will turn on other people. However, God made a way for His creation to unite with Him and take away His wrath against sin – only through repentance and surrender to Jesus Christ. Although believers are found righteous in God on the day of salvation, we may still find ourselves struggling with sin because of the battle between our new nature, Holy Spirit, and our old nature, our flesh. Although believers have been found righteous there are so many lost people who need to know the hope and love of Jesus Christ. We like sheep have all gone astray. Believers demonstrate Christ to a broken world by loving them just as Christ loved and sacrificed Himself for us.

With whom are you misrepresenting Christ by refusing to demonstrate your love in action towards them? What excuses have you made for not demonstrating your love to those you encounter? 

Father God, You loved and pursued me even when I was in sin. I have no excuses for not loving your sheep the way you sacrificially loved me. Lord, I need Your help daily in this area. Show me, Lord, how to love people more than I hate their behavior.  Teach me, Lord, to have Your compassion for those who hurt me and for those who disrespect You. Stop me, Lord, when I make excuses for misrepresenting You. Remind me daily, Lord, of Your choice to fiercely love me despite my bad behavior, my flaws, my mistakes, and my struggles. Lord, give me many opportunities to fiercely love others despite their bad behavior, their flaws, their mistakes, and their struggles. In Jesus’ name. Amen.