How much would we do for a friend?, suppose he has a reputation that is manipulative and difficult, would we still be ready to help and support him. If he is a person using us to meet his ambitions and desires, would we still love him. It is difficult to understand this within the limitations of human knowledge and ability, as it will need something stronger to look beyond the betrayal and manipulations.
It would need the love of Christ and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is of ultimate importance that our friend sees Christ in us , otherwise he will only see his evil self in us which will encourage his actions of deceit. The change starts within us and then affects those around us.
The most critical step here is then being ready to take the deceit of our friend upon ourself, to forgive and forget the things that he has done unto us, so that the love of Christ can be seen in both . This is what Paul did for Onesimus, he knew Onesimus had worked against Philemon but Paul was ready to clear all of Onesimus debts , Paul was ready to stand for Onesimus because he knew Christ was alive in him.
This is what Christ has done , keeps doing and will continue to do for us. He died for us so that we may know that our lives are free from death and sin. The cross is a symbol of God’s love and grace through Christ. Christ allowed us to charge his account for all our misdeeds and this the same He expects us to do for others .
Today, to a friend , let us say, “ Charge my account for whatever you have done against me, I forgive and let you go and will never keep score”. Let us pray Christ leads us to do this in the power of the Holy Spirit and love of Christ, our Lord. Charge my account for....
Ref: Titus 1: 8-18
God bless
©️deeps 2018
www.deepsgeorge.com
#JesusInspires!