Build Up

 

    Christians are the only people that have the power to build up or tear down their own.  We are hurt by other people, but there is a higher standard on how to treat people when you are a Christian.  If we do not take the time to spend time with God everyday, then there is a good chance that we may not be treating everyone the way God calls us to treat them.  Even if we are in God's Word and praying, it can be a challenge.

    The problem is that we become clean and pure when we become a Christian, but we still live in the world of fleshly desires.  We all have a standard of how people should treat each other and how people should treat us.  When those standards are ignored, overlooked, or just disrespected then we can easily be offended or lose our temper.  

    When we give into our worldly desires, then our behavior hurts other people.  As a Christian our standard needs to become that it doesn't matter what people do to us, we need to show them the love of Jesus.  That does not mean be a door mat, but it does mean you need to consider your words and reactions before you speak or react.

    We are capable of committing any and every sin even as a Christian.  That is why we need to focus on how we live our lives and allow the Holy Spirit deal with the other people.  We have the power to lift people up, motivate them to do better, and encourage.  We do not have the power to change people.  We only can change ourselves.  We need to remember that we are not perfect and that we stumble too.  That is why when church discipline or correction needs to happen, we need to make sure that we do it in love like Jesus did.

    When you live a life of self-discipline, then you are able to help people out who are struggling spiritually.  You can show them a way before they are overtaken and be a righteous friend if they do stumble.  As a righteous friend you can be there for them, but you can not be okay with the sin.  That means you have to address it outright and move forward.

    It is always good to remember just because they fell today, does not mean that I will not fall tomorrow.  We all have the same source for our spiritual life.  It comes down to if you utilize that power or ignore it.  Sin is rarely premeditated, but the further you go into the sinful lifestyle the more it normalizes for you.  They only way back is to find Jesus' light and follow it back to him and the path that he laid for you.

    It does not do anyone any good to be a finger pointer.  People mess up.  Address it with them in private.  It only needs to be brought into the public if they have no remorse and show no signs of changing.  If we love like Jesus, then the love can cover all kinds of sin.  That means if they show remorse and work to fix things, then you can move forward and forget over time.  

    If you are strong in your faith right now, then you have the responsibility to be there for those who are struggling.  We all need help at times.  We need to get out of the mind set that we can not ask help when we need it.  We also need to accept help when people offer because we might not be aware that we need help.  

    To be spiritually mature has nothing to do with age.  It has everything to do with how much of yourself that you are willing to give to God.  Hold up a metaphorical mirror and look inside yourself.  Do not blame anyone for being where you are at.  Life isn't what you want it to be that is okay.  What are you going to do about it.  Pray over your spiritual growth and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal hidden things in that mirror.  Maturity will follow.

    We are not the judges of the world.  That is Jesus' job.  He does not like it to much when we try to take over.  When the world upsets, bother, angers, or brings fear into your heart, it is time to give it to Jesus.  Allow him to fix the things that we can't even fathom how to fix properly or in a way that would last.  

    Instead of judging people, seek to restore relationships.  You never know the person that is your enemy today could become your best friend tomorrow.  Jesus is in the miracle work.  Seek to see things in a different perspective and open your heart to what the Holy Spirit may be trying to teach you.  

    Find the facts instead of allowing speculation to lead your thoughts.  Don't allow gossip to be a part of your life.  Instead look at the facts or ask people directly, so that gossip has no power over your thoughts of people.  Seek to keep your mind pure and usable by God.

    Restoration is how you build people up and help them become stronger.  It is done through gentleness and resetting your mind to think more like Jesus.  It gives people the time to change or reveal if they are not going to change.  It removes stress from your life because you are not obsessed with punishment, but finding a cure for your relationship.  Restoration requires time, patience, and self-control.

    If you need to have restoration, then face the fact that you need to confess what you did wrong.  Don't try to cover it up.  Do not make excuses.  Don't wait until the truth comes out on it's own.  Go to the person you have wronged right away and seek restoration.  That will go much further than trying to fix things after you are caught.  (If you do not want restoration, then walk away.  There is no reason to continue to hurt people.)  

    Healing begins once you forgive yourself and give the other person time to forgive you too.  Even if they never can forgive you, you can move on with a clear conscience because you did everything you could to make things right.  You forgave yourself, you gave them time, and you sought and got God's forgiveness.  Move on and sin no more.

    

John 8:1-11, Romans 15:1-4, Galatians 5:19-23, & James 4:11-12