Do we look for potential in the person that we meet.. you know the good aspects, the good character qualities or virtue? Do we search for the positive in others?
Personally I aim for this and it doesn't often come naturally.
Are people good or bad generally?
I know one thing.. I have some moral friends and some very decent Christian friends and I want to be an encourager of them and of the good I see.
Another thing.. I never want to count converts ..aka scalps.. cuz I've actually never converted or saved anyone. Only One can do that.
I don't think I've ever met a person who was purely evil through and through, or another person (other than Christ) who was 100% good. Hey, I'm a saved sinner with a long ways to go.. one that contends with my old nature, but really wants to grow spiritually in the Word of God.
So I always wanna be very slow to see someone as lost. And I can't tell people where they will go in the end.
Sure we all can be fruit inspectors, but who am I? I can't see what's going on down on the inside of the person's heart? Sure a real Christian does love to talk to and about Jesus, just like a teen who is "in love" likes to talk about his girlfriend or her boyfriend. But don't some religious Pharisees like to pray long prayers or talk about God as well ..for show. God is really the only one who can see the inner heart condition. If we fish for souls as He would have every believer do, then we really need to stay in close contact with Him huh.
I want to be log-less (I mean one who has no log or stick in my eye so to speak) "good finder" rather than a speck finder. I choose to like most people, and love all people.
"The Christian, trying to treat every one kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes on." ~ CS Lewis
A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.
"What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger.
"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.
"They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels."
"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town.
Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.
Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.
"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.
"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them.""Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town." By Anon.
Did seeing them as diligent, honest and friendly for the most part.. for the second stranger ..mean that all the people in the town he left behind actually were that way..always? No, not necessarily. It did mean he liked them and would miss em and that most were decent people in his eyes.
If you were an employer, which stranger would you prefer to hire.. the one who generally likes people, or the one who generally doesn't like people that he meets? If you were an unregenerate person; a lonely, empty, fearful unbeliever... which type of person would you want to approach you to witness to you ..if per se one of these types was a believer ..and chose to show you such a great kindness for your benefit?
If you are a real Christian, which type actually did share the Gospel with you and then actually won you to Christ?
Are you a parent? Isn't it true in a general sense, that children will rise to meet our level of expectations? Sure this could happen and it does happen! Not always, but it does. What should this say to employers, to coaches, to teachers and to pastors?
Love believes all things. Do we habitually believe the best of people and give them the benefit of the doubt without being foolish in this. When we talk to others about people, do we bring up the good things about them, or the negative things? Do we bring up Christ who we love the most?
Is there loyalty in absentia.. shown? I don't mean that anyone of us lie about those around us, but there really should be loyalty in absentia and also when they are not absent. Wouldn't you want this from your friends ..when you were away ..even if you aren't perfect? Sure you would. We can pray about this in advance.
We all reap what we sow.
Do you take the time to look for the good in others? Do you pray for the person you meet, and expect to see those gifts and talents in them one day be used to glorify God? God can help us in this and He can make strong, what is currently weak in each one of us. He can give us love for people and His perspective if we just ask Him to. Jesus said, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." facebook.com/shareJesus
