KNOW NO ONE AFTER THE FLESH
To know a man 'after the flesh' is to know him by the outward values and worldly circumstances. Apostle Paul ceased to judge any man by those standards. As a Christian, Paul looked beyond human point of view or worldly perspective while evaluating others.
Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 'Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh...'
Paul is saying, 'don't label people'; refuse to judge them according to the flesh, instead, love them. The renewed mind functions by this principle. Jesus associated with a Samaritan woman He met at a well, However, considering the cultural and religious point of view in those days, it was awful. First she'd been divorced five times and her reputation was not outstanding.
Second, she was a Gentile (John 4:9 KJV). In those days a Jew couldn't take water drawn by Gentiles or feast on their food. Jewish physicians couldn't attend to non-Jewish patients. Jews actually referred to Gentiles as 'unclean', believing that by mixing with them they too would become unclean. But Jesus was all about befriending everyone, not avoiding them.
Jesus touched lepers, loved foreigners, and spent time so much with partygoers that religious leaders called him a 'lush, a friend of the riffraff' (Matthew 11:19 MSG). Jesus didn't label people; He loved them. And today, He wants to change the way you see others.
Our referenced Scripture reads, 'We have stopped evaluating others from their human point of view.' So today, what if you come across some people like the Samaritan woman at the well? How would you regard or respond to them? You are either going to label them or love them. But choose the later.
Golden news today: Don't label people; kill the urge to judge others. Don’t be too quick to tag anyone wrongly rather honour God by choosing to love them.
Scripture Reading - Proverbs 31:9; Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:31-37; Romans 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:4; James 4:11-12.
Guided Prayer: Thank you heavenly Father for your acceptance and approval. By your Spirit, I get rid of any action that expresses judgement and I walk in love always. My thoughts are lovely and considerate, and I guard my heart against condemning thoughts in Jesus' Name, Amen!
Comments