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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them

This quote was made famous by Maya Angelou and it sounds like one of those quotes you hear in church that sound like scripture.  For example when praises go up blessings come down or cleanliness is next to godliness.  However, it is what we would call a truism which is simply something that is an undoubted or self- evident truth. We hold fast to these truisms because they are things we affirm as truth.   So let's look at this quote for a moment.  I submit to you this morning based on my experiences that this is a truism.  Can people change?  Of course! The Bible attests to that Saul changed from persecutor to Paul being one that was persecuted.  People can change. 

However much of the hurt and pain that we experience comes from not believing that this quote is truth.  We spend much of our lives trying to change or persuade people who are what they are.  Though this realization can be painful it would be wise to believe those people when they show you who they are.  I will not delve to various types of disappointments this morning as my goal was simply to raise your awareness of this truism.  I will leave it up to you to fill in the ________________.  What have people shown you about themselves?  Do you believe them? 

Before, I quit this morning I can hear DeLano saying Q the better question is what are we as those who profess faith in Christ showing the world?  Thanks DeLano that is a good question because what does the condition of the world say about what they believe about our witness for Christ.  The Bible declares that we are living epistles or letters of recommendation.  What does your recommendation say about Christ?

Scripture Reference: 2 Cor. 3:3

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

2 comments:

  1. Once we accept that WE are sinners saved because of the grace that God has so graciously bestowed upon us, we can accept the fact that people can change.

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  2. My faith looks up to Thee,
    Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
    Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
    O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

    May Thy rich grace impart
    Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
    As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
    Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

    While life’s dark maze I tread,
    And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
    Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
    Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

    When ends life’s transient dream,
    When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
    Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
    O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

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