Ever
experienced a situation in which someone infuriated you so much that you felt
like smashing his or her head against the wall?
Perhaps
a colleague, friend, boss, subordinate, or (even) an intimate partner – wronged
or pressed you hard (enough) that you became overburden, downtrodden, perplexed,
insignificant or lost. Then, you must know how it feels to want to flare up and
avenge yourself – yet, powerless to do so (probably) because you indeed do not
have the power to revenge, some people advised you otherwise or God (through
the Holy Spirit) calmed your spirit.
As
Christians, we are all running a single race (in which nobody is expected to
lose out): this requires a continuous evaluation of how we live our lives, and
tolerance got a lot to do with it.
Every day, you meet
people
Whether
self employed or employed by an organisation – you are bound to meet both
clients and staff members who are (totally) different from you.
Your
world views are different, your desires are different, and your lifestyles are
not the same.
In
this situation, you will be required to accept people as they are – if you must
fulfill your assigned tasks. If not, you would run into troubles all the time.
Although,
there are problems that must be tackled formally (within the confines of your
office): we are not advising you to carpet any threat to your life, office,
employment or profits (if you owned a business). However, you must have
tolerance to be able to cope with people and be successful in what you do.
You
must be able to live like Apostle Paul said,
“But what things were gain to me, those
I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and do count them dung, that I may win Christ”.
Philippians 3:7-8, KJV.
This tolerance
surpasses materialism
It
is a good thing to possess riches, honour and be highly placed in the society –
to the point of being able to fight for the less privilege.
Yet,
the tolerance we are referring to (in this piece) has to do with ‘running the
race that is set before you with patience’.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and
the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Hebrews 12:1-2,
KJV.
In
view of all said so far, your ability to cope with people of various
temperaments, backgrounds, views and lifestyles can reveal the state of your
Christian life.
Even,
the way you treat those under your leadership reveals the kind of Christian
that you are.
Are you are child of
God?
If
God treated you badly or insignificantly we (both) know that you will not call
yourself a child of God, right there. The same treatment (from you to others)
is required: that is exactly what Jesus
Christ said – read the lines below:
“Therefore all things whatsoever you would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
prophets”. Matthew 7:12, KJV.
Are you already
running your race with patience?
Please,
keep it up because there is a great reward awaiting you. The salvation we have
received and which we are proclaiming is not a bluff, if it was, then we are ‘of all men’ doomed.
“If in this life only we have hope in
Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now Christ is risen from the
dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
“But thanks to God, which give us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Corinthians 15:19-20, 57, KJV.
For
those who are yet to start running their race with patience. You know, within
yourself, that you are just running around after money, fame and material
things – you do things that (normally) should not be part of you: if you have
not accepted Jesus Christ as your
Lord and Saviour, then here is a chance for you to make things right.
Everyone
that falls into the categories (in the above paragraph) should say the prayer
below:
Father I thank you
that I am saved now. Whatever the devil has been using to tie me to the world
is removed from my life in the name of Jesus. I realise that I cannot save
myself, therefore, I give myself (completely) unto you Lord. Let your grace
carry me through my Christian journey, successfully.
In Jesus name I
prayed, amen.
Few
things you must observe after this prayer:
1.Buy
a Bible and read it (as much as possible).
2.Share
the message that God communicates to you, with others.
3.Live
your life to please God and not people around you.
4.Join
a church that teaches the truth of the Bible.
5.Preserve
your salvation by not intentionally craving for sins.
