Lk 9:52b-56 “...they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” LESSON - We REALLY serve a God of mercy. Too often for believers, the idea is lost that God is patient towards unbelievers. The disciples would have slain every person in the Samaritan village IN THE NAME OF GOD not only because of their unbelief, but their Jewish prejudice towards Samaritans. There are really two points to be made in this passage:
1. Be careful which spirit is making your choices - Your sin nature would have you believe that you’re better than others just because you are saved. Remember that if we all received what we deserved, we would all go to Hell.
2. Be patient towards unbelievers - The reason Lost people act lost is because they are lost. Jesus has no desire during this age to destroy anyone, but desires that all men everywhere be saved. We should treat others with the same patience with which Jesus treated us before we received Christ.
~Mike
Comments