SHARING OUR PASSION FOR PEOPLE #4

As you read the Gospel account you are drawn to the conclusion that each one of us is responsible to win souls to Jesus. I know there are those that appeal to Ephesians 4 to believe there is a certain group that is gifted to do such a work. Such people have missed the message of the Gospel. Everyone is called on to win souls.

We will not win many souls living like the world and treating people the way the world does. I will tell you what: It is exercise time again:
Do you like to be met by others that snub you?
Do you like to be ignored?
Do you enjoy being around grumpy people?
Do you like to be pushed into a corner by a pushy person?
Absolutely not!!!!!!! Passion for people makes me see them (each one) from another perspective. There is just a right way to people.

If you have missed all that somewhere you need to read and study Galatians 5:22-23. I think we are PICKERS ‘N CHOOSERS. That’s right. We choose who we want to treat right. You know the drill: She’s so unfriendly! He drinks! She’s immoral! He’s a lowlife!

All these folks are somehow shoved aside. They are of no value. Right? THAT IS WRONG AND YOU KNOW IT!

I have several BIG DEALS IN MY LIFE: BA & MA in Biblical Studies and Languages from Abilene Christian University and M.Ed. from Sul Ross University. You know what got me on down the road better. I got my 5 year pin form Safeway. The customer is always right! You know they are. They will spit on you and say all kinds of nasty things about you. The Lord had me there for a purpose. It was God’s proving Ground. And, I got a more practical education there than I did at either university.

Well, we need to draw this to a close. Let me ask you:
1) Can you really see people from God’s point of view?
2) Can I approach everyone with the passion of Christ?
3) Just keep asking yourself: How much is a person worth?
4) Don’t give up on that husband, wife, son, daughter, friend, or enemy.

Let me ask you: Do you have a II Corinthians 5 perspective? A Paradigm Shift in spiritual thinking? Do you have God’s point of view? Do you have Christ’s perspective?

You do know one thing for sure. Nothing is too difficult for the God who raises the dead.

What do you need to do next? Why don’t you adopt one of my favorite verses.? So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31).

Just think about it: the bounds of that verse are limitless. Do the right things with respect to God and people and God will reward efforts by opening doors because we are living to His glory.

SHARING OUR PASSION FOR PEOPLE (3)

It seems to me if we are to really develop a passion for people, we must try to catch the passion of Christ for our own lives. Have you figured it all out yet? The real issue just has to be: How much are people worth? Conclusion: Nothing on this planet is as important as people.

We never tire of looking as such verses as John 3:16 and II Peter 3:9. Why? Because, these verses are the ones that show us the infinite love God has for us. We think about it and we surely are glad God feels for us the way he does. Sometimes we never stop to think or perhaps it has just never occurred to us that God feels the same way for absolutely every other living soul on the planet.

Wow! Think about that one. That’s revolutionary. All we can see are marital problems, family problems, boundary issues, physical illness, mental & emotional illness, global problems, racial problems, religious problems, personal problems and the problems go so deep we never look past the nose on the end of our face to see what God sees. When God looks he sees people. God sees us all the same way. We are all needy. Everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23). Everyone we know has turned to his own way (Isa. 53:6).

Now! Somehow we must get the rubber on the road and make this as real and practical as possible. How are we going to see everyone else we meet with the eyes of God or with the perspective of Christ—that is the new perspective we have been talking about? Is it too late for us? Have we become so set in our ways we can never change?

It can never be too late as long as it is day (metaphorically). As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work (Jno. 9:4). Change is possible only if we are willing to change. The Bible calls it repentance, and that’s not just for the hardened sinner or the drunk in the gutter. Yes, common folk like you and me need to repent. Yes, we can change—if we want to badly enough.

I will tell you a good rule of thumb biblical principle that will help you and next week we will get even more personal. Are you ready? Here it comes: I don’t care who you are and who the other person might be/where it is/when it is/how it falls into place: Treat everyone you meet like you would like to be treated. Does that remind you of a certain Rule (Golden)?

Let me close with one of my favorites that will work for you just like it works for me—when I work it, that is. I believe it works because God said it would and because he stands behind it. Here it is: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). I believe that covers everything you and I do. We had better be doing the right things right now and always, now hadn’t we? How will we be most like God (Lu. 6:35)? Who makes it possible (Phil. 2:13 & Eph. 3:20-21)? See you next time.