“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:14); “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline” (Rev. 3:19); “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.” (2 Tim. 2:24-25)
Lord Jesus, first of all, thank you for loving us as you do. Everything you do for us and to us, you do in love. You remain kind and gentle even when you must rebuke and discipline us. When you show us our stubbornness and foolishness, you never show us contempt or shower us with shame. Thank you.
Jesus, only you can change the heart of any person (2 Tim. 2:25), including ours. SO, here’s our need, cry, and petition today. Help us know how to love people we love who are stubborn, wandering, and are making disastrous choices. Help us Jesus. What does loving in the chaos look like? What does loving a “prodigal” look like—whether it’s a good friend or family member? If we must administer some “severe-mercy,” may we do so with tears, not resentment.
We’re not asking for you to make us “nice” or “sweet,” but Gospel-wise and Spirit-controlled. Convict us when our sad morphs in mad. Our human anger won’t generate a redemptive outcome (James 1:20).
Loving well is always costly. That’s what your cross clearly reveals. Though we easily forget, we know we can’t make anybody happy or holy. As we entrust to you our “prodigals,” we trust you for wisdom from above and Gospel-heartedness. So Very Amen.