WORSHIP AND TREATING OTHERS WELL
Ps. 15:1,3 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. NLT
Sometimes it’s easier said than done. We don’t usually set out to slander or harm others, but we do it anyhow. We may not be getting along with someone like we should and we let it fester in our souls. In an effort to prove each other wrong, words are spoken. Sometimes the words are very hurtful. They call into question the character and integrity of the other person. They are spoken in an attempt to make ourselves feel better and the other person worse. Such words are always damaging and never good. Instead of being encouragers and edifiers, we become destroyers. We excuse ourselves because of the damage and hurts the other person has caused us. We don’t give much thought to the fact that the Lord is the one who is to mete out justice. He is the one who makes things right. We are to leave things in His hands and not take them into our own hands.
When we slander or hurt others, we disqualify ourselves from being able to draw near to God. No one who slanders, harms, or speaks evil of his neighbor can enter into the presence of God, It is a battle that we must fight and win. Be honest, how many times have you gone through the motions of worship with ill feelings or thoughts in you towards someone? Did you find satisfaction for your soul in the presence of the Lord? Did God seem so far away, detached from you? The Lord will not draw near to the soul filled with ill feelings for someone else.
Ask the Lord to help you treat others in a godly way. Ask Him to help you be an encourager and edifier to all, to turn the other cheek no matter how others may treat you. Ask Him to help you love others with no strings attached. You may not appreciate the way others live or treat you, but that does not dismiss your responsibility before God to love them unconditionally.
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