Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 12; 13; Luke 16:1-31.
Memory Verse: “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:” 2 Samuel 12:5 (KJV)
David was told by Prophet Nathan of a man who had several flocks but chose to kill the only lamb owned by a poor man for his visitor (2 Samuel 12:1-4). He was quick in judgment. 2 Samuel 12:5 (KJV) records, “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:”
And when the prophet disclosed to him that he was the one, he recognised he had sinned against God. David, like most of us recognised the wrong in the act narrated by Prophet Nathan immediately because at that point, he was not involved. This brings to the fore the importance of asking ourselves the implication of our actions on the life of others. If he had considered the implication of sleeping with Bathsheba particularly on her husband and her house and put himself in the shoes of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, he would not have gone ahead with his adultery.
The issue therefore is the need to always consider implications of your actions on others and to try to put yourself in the recipients shoes. If you do this, you will not commit most of the offences you do. How many would like their children, or spouse to be violated? Who would want his belongings to be stolen, who wants to be cheated? It’s time to listen to the Almighty in Haggai 1:7 (KJV), “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”
This is what makes a Christian different from others. You are expected to put yourself in others shoes whenever you are about to take any action affecting them. That is what the Lord Jesus stated as the second commandment in Mark 12:31 (KJV), “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
When you do this then you will be conforming to the image of Christ.
Prayer: Father, please give me the grace to always love others like myself in every action that I take .
Bro. Biodun Oyapero