Let's all say this together: "I WILL NEVER "SHOULD'' ON ANYONE AGAIN!"
A basic definition for those of you who are unfamiliar with "should-ing": Telling someone, "You SHOULD change! You SHOULD try harder! You SHOULD, you SHOULD, you SHOULD..." Well, you get the idea.
I refuse to be a preacher who "shoulds" all over people. There are already enough "shoulds" in the world. You don't need this at church, too. Grace extends to everyone...
And while you are at it: STOP SHOULDING ON YOURSELF! That is just not helpful!
When you read a verse like this:
Matthew 22: 37-41 Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."
Don't say to yourself: "I should love God more and my neighbor more!" Don't should on yourself! You know you are not living up to this law. You don't even like your neighbor, let alone love him!
Instead, read the scriptures in light of His grace!
1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. (NKJV)
We will only love Him to the extent that we understand His love for us. So instead of focusing on your lack of love, focus on His love for you! Focus on the good things He has done lately in your life...And once you grasp His love for you, you'll naturally love others as naturally as you love yourself.
Grace doesn't stop at the point of your salvation. By grace you are saved. But also by grace you live! Jesus came so all our shoulding could stop! What great grace for ourselves and everyone we know!
Excerpt taken from the book Grace On Tap by Eric Dykstra http://amzn.com/
Get wrecked! Go buy it today!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.