So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore . . . (Rom 14:12-13a)
Is there a person in your life you would like to change? Maybe they are driving you nuts and you wish they would mellow out so you could be happier and life would be more peaceful. Perhaps you’ve been seriously contemplating having a good strong talk with them so they will straighten out. Well before you do consider these thoughts from God’s Word:
1) PRAY FOR THE PERSON - (Eph 6:18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Prayer is the most effective change agent in the universe. It will do more than you and I could ever know. If we would be committed to praying for that person we would begin to see changes in the right direction.
2) BE PATIENT - (Phil 1:6) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Celebrate each positive change you see in that person’s life knowing God is just beginning what He wants to do. And remember how long it has taken for you to mature in Christ!
3) BE COMMITTED TO GOD’S LOVE - (1 Cor 13:7-8) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails . . . Accept that person for who they are and see them as a diamond in the rough. The moment they irritate you see it as an indicator that your agape is low. Ask God to strengthen you and to give you a good attitude and a loving and a gracious nature. And keep in mind God sometimes uses people as sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges of our lives.
4) CHANGE YOURSELF - (Mat 7:5) . . . First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. The best way to change someone is to change yourself! And then realize we are powerless in ourselves to change someone and how frustrating it is to even try. And most importantly to know that only God can change the heart and what a great job He does when we turn our issues over to Him.
God’s Word teaches us how to live life more joyously in the sphere of human relationships. Apply God’s Word in your life and you will see more changes than you ever imagined!
Louie