John 13:35 (AMP)
35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
We all know this scripture and we quote it from time to time. It is easy to love when we see things from the same perspective and all is well but what happens when we are both passionate about opposing sides of the same issue? These last few days have put us to the test where love for one another is concerned and some of us have failed the test miserably and it has been quite the shocker and eye opener because our hearts have been exposed. With the just concluded elections still taking center stage in our lives and conversations how do we demonstrate the love of God towards each other?
How do you love someone who seems to be celebrating the very thing that aggravates you?
How do you love someone who does not want you to celebrate what you feel is a victory for you?
How do you love someone who seems to be perpetuating lies that they cannot prove?
How do you love someone who seems to be in agreement with something which in your view is the source of destruction for this nation?
These are some serious questions that we as believers in Kenya have to face right now!
How do I stand out as a Christian in the midst of all that is going on and not contaminate myself?
Philippians 2:3 (AMP)
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.
It all comes back to the motive of your heart. Why are you doing what you are doing and what is the attitude of your heart? Are you proud and arrogant in what you are doing?
The truth is that some of us have allowed politics to take center stage in our lives and we have allowed the competitive nature to take over our hearts. Our brother and sister on the opposing side have become our enemy, and we have to defeat them one way or the other. How then do we expect to love them or to embrace them when in our heart they are still an enemy that must be defeated?
You and I need to come back to the place of allowing Jesus to be the driving force in our life. We have to put our hopes and trust in him and look to him only. It is only when we do so that we will be sensitive towards our brother and sister because then we will not see them through the eyes of their political affiliation or tribe but through the eyes of Christ. Then and only then can we love them, causing us to be sensitive about what we say and do because we have them in mind and we regard them as better than ourselves.
Let go of the hate and hurt, let go of the pride and arrogance, let go of your political kingpin who has taken the place of Christ in your life and allow Christ to rule and reign in your heart and see what difference that will make. Remember;
Jeremiah 17:5
Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, Making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, And whose mind and heart turn away from the LORD.
Repent, forgive and look to Christ the author and finisher of our faith!
