Shortcomings

It’s the elephant in the room that the church world doesn’t seem to want to really address-shortcomings.  Yes, we can love the Lord with all our soul and yet find ourselves in moments of weakness.  Selah

I am reminded of this when I think of Peter.  There he was experiencing Jesus up close and personal in a way we will only get to be either when we transition or when He returns.  Yet when the going got tough, Peter denied Him three times.  Not because He didn’t love Him, but because of fear.  David is known as a man after God’s own heart.  We see his intimacy with Him displayed throughout the Psalms.  Yet David found trouble surrendering his lustful desires.  We are blessed to be the seed of Abraham. Yet Abraham didn’t rebuke Sarah when told to sleep with Hagar.  He may have obeyed his wife for peace sake but cause a complexity that is going on till this day.

Facts:  some of us struggle with sexual desires that are not always covered by God’s grace.  Some of us can be revengeful. Some of us can carry around pride.  Some of us can even be envious towards our brother and sisters in Christ.  Nevertheless, how does God yet view us?  Selah

1Peter 3:8 (NLT)

Finally, all of you should be of one mind.  Sympathize with each other.  Love each other as brothers and sisters.  Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

How many of us truly put this scripture to action?  It appears when one of our brothers or sisters get caught in a wrong, we crucify them like the Pharisees desired with Jesus.  We don’t sympathize or show tenderheartedness.  Could this be why the church has learned to mask such issues so well?  Selah

Facts are I have shortcomings.  I have struggles, and yes there are times I want to cater to my fleshly man more than my spirit man.

1Peter 1:10 (NLT)

Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.  Once you received no mercy, now you have received God’s mercy.

Truth:  God mercy is new every morning towards us.  Think about where we would be without His mercy!  Eventually Jesus restored Peter for the three times he denied Him. So just as God grants us mercy every single day, we should grant our own brothers and sisters in Christ mercy as well.

The hour is drawing nigh Saints!  It’s time we allow the church to be the spiritual hospital that it is supposed to be and be real with each other.  Let’s practice the greatest gift we can give one another, LOVE!  For its in love that we can forgive shortcomings.  It’s in love that we can pray for each other strength!  It is in love that we can display mercy and be tenderhearted.

As we reflect on the Cross this weekend, let’s truly reflect on what was going on at that time.  For God so loved the world that He gave…   Since our identity now is within Him, let us give the love that he gives to us!