Bible Reading: Daniel 11-12; 3 John 1.
Memory Verse: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2 (KJV).
A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ and so is expected to live a life similar to that of Christ in behavior. One of those areas is showing love to others. This entails your relationship with those you come across in the course of your journey on earth. It is said of a man in a bus who was disturbed by another passenger sitting beside him with a lot of load; the load pressed the man, roughened his dress and his toes were even overstepped but he did not get angry. Someone else who observed the reaction of the man all through the time asked him why he did not complain and his response was profound. He said the journey was too short for complaints. That should be the attitude of a true child of God. In addition to this, the reaction should be borne out of love for the neighbour.
When you have such an attitude knowing that your journey on earth is so short, one or two hundred years (at most) on earth, compared to eternity in heaven, you will not plan or say evil things to your neighbour even when they wrong you. Rather, you will understand their position and give reasons for their behavior praying for them where necessary. No wonder Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 (KJV), “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” It is important that this should be done out of a loving heart. Be like Jesus Christ who said to God the father, of the people that crucified him in Luke 23:34 (KJV), “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
This is the attitude you should have even in your thought and wish for others. You should always wish for others particularly all those of the household of faith, what you wish for yourself. Like Apostle Paul stated in 3 John 1:2 (KJV), “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
However, you cannot have this mindset naturally because “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV). You need to have the Holy Spirit and this can only happen if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. So, if you have not accepted him, all you need is to repent of your sins, determine to forsake them and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Prayer: Father, please give me a Christ-like heart in Jesus mighty name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero