Dear Judy,
I always consider myself as a forgiving person, even before I was saved I tried to see the best in people. But lately, I find myself seeing people from a different angle from the scope of eternity, so to speak. I see people as either saved or unsaved, but I still try to see good in everyone. I think that this is a fault in myself, thinking unsaved people can behave like saved people. Am I now being too critical?
Dear Concerned,
I like the words “in the scope of eternity”! I use that all the time. Eternity is the most important thing because it is forever. We should see people as saved or not saved because the saved and unsaved think differently. The Bible is clear on that. The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:14, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? The key word here is fellowship… the unsaved or unbeliever is in darkness and has no understanding of the things of God. We are to witness to them and pray for the Holy Sport to work in their lives, but do not expect them to think the way a believer does.
There is good in most people, but that does not mean they are saved. Until a person comes to realize that they are a sinner and need a Savior, they are not born again with the Holy Spirit living in them. Once we are saved, we are in the world but not of the world. This is a huge difference.
As believers, we are told by the Lord we are to forgive everyone! Saved or not saved makes no difference. We are to forgive. Matthew 6:14-15 says, For, if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We might not like what someone does, but we are to forgive them for it. When we do not, it only holds us prisoner to the issue. Let them go, and let God handle it. Look what Jesus did for us on the cross! He forgave us! I hope this helps.
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