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- Apr 25, 2006
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Faithful friend (3)
'Love is patient and kind ...' 1 Corinthians 13:4
Remove your mate's cap and hoodie, replace with two-tone cardigan and comb-over hairdo. Wrap a jewel-encrusted WWJD bracelet around their wrist. Attach bicycle clips to their socks. Drape a rainbow strapped de-tuned acoustic guitar over their shoulder. Spray a dose of camel breath liberally around the mouth. Now you've given them the chic retro Christian make-over, they'll be good enough for your Sunday pews right?
OK, so you'd never go to these extremes, but it's funny sometimes how we imagine our mates would have to have a serious attitude makeover before God could accept them. Wrong. 'God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us ... when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son ...' (Romans 5:8-10 NIV). God would still love you even if you'd never bothered with him. Equally, God loves that mate of yours who makes Marilyn Manson look like Sir Cliff.
Your job isn't to point out where your mates are going wrong. That's the Holy Spirit's job. Your only job is to love your mate, no strings attached. And you know how love works: what's that famous verse? 'Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude ...'(1 Corinthians 13:4). If you put to use some of those qualities, your mate will be attracted to the God who gave you a spiritual makeover.
written by Bob Gass
'Love is patient and kind ...' 1 Corinthians 13:4
Remove your mate's cap and hoodie, replace with two-tone cardigan and comb-over hairdo. Wrap a jewel-encrusted WWJD bracelet around their wrist. Attach bicycle clips to their socks. Drape a rainbow strapped de-tuned acoustic guitar over their shoulder. Spray a dose of camel breath liberally around the mouth. Now you've given them the chic retro Christian make-over, they'll be good enough for your Sunday pews right?
OK, so you'd never go to these extremes, but it's funny sometimes how we imagine our mates would have to have a serious attitude makeover before God could accept them. Wrong. 'God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us ... when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son ...' (Romans 5:8-10 NIV). God would still love you even if you'd never bothered with him. Equally, God loves that mate of yours who makes Marilyn Manson look like Sir Cliff.
Your job isn't to point out where your mates are going wrong. That's the Holy Spirit's job. Your only job is to love your mate, no strings attached. And you know how love works: what's that famous verse? 'Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude ...'(1 Corinthians 13:4). If you put to use some of those qualities, your mate will be attracted to the God who gave you a spiritual makeover.
written by Bob Gass
