Daily Word – Wednesday 06 December 2006

When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out!

And out walked the man who had been dead, his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, free him of the burial wrappings and let him go.  [John 11:43-44]

Though Jesus raised Lazarus from death to life, he still had to have his burial clothes removed before he could move forward and live his new life; why is it then, that when someone comes to the cross and out of death into a new life in Christ, we often expect them to be instantly perfect?

All too often the Christians around a new convert will point out all the ‘old worldly’ things (burial clothes) that are still so glaringly obvious, rather than lovingly helping the person out of the old and into the new.

Jesus commanded those around Lazarus to free him and let him go, likewise we are to help others into the freedom of a new life in Christ, by loving, teaching, encouraging and mentoring them. Never are we too bully, berate, expose and embarrass, judge or condemn, in order to supposedly get others to become more Christ-like.

So today, remember to walk in love, because love NEVER fails!!!

Have a wonderful Wednesday,

Much love

Chrissy