Quickly
“ ‘In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you,
for this is the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matt 7:12, NASB).
Has someone been mistreated via the church that they attend?
Has someone stopped attending — now at home that same time spend?
Is someone feeling raw, upset, and quite legitimately?
Another wounded Christian treated far from heavenly.
Well, pursue them QUICKLY, lest Satan makes hay while the sun shines,
Ensuring the incident and the fallout further declines.
But much more importantly, show them just how much you care,
By how quickly you respond in an attempt to repair.
It’s bad enough that things happen that are not heavenly,
But not responding quickly, or at all, adds insult to injury.
Any hurt may fester, even lead to suicide, revenge, and,
On both church and wrongdoer shame and exposure land.
Some hold back who are caught up on a certain psychology
That says, “Leave them alone, they’re acting like a child, a baby.
They’re just using staying away as a club, a lever;
They’re just a petty, immature, uncommitted believer.”
Well, that may be true of some, but pity help those who get it wrong,
Should suicide or revenge eventually come along.
What member really knows another member’s heart and mind,
And what right have we to judge, to add to pain, acting blind?
We should never take chances — besides, what Christ-like Christian would?
So, pursue such members QUICKLY, like true Christians really would.
Don’t go throwing blame on them, for even if some may fit,
Just resolve the issue, and more so, where their claims legitimate.
Yes, none of us are perfect, and sometimes when folk wrong us,
We fire off when we shouldn’t, adding to the wrong and fuss.
But even so, if we’ve been wronged, justice we should receive —
An apology, a putting right — lest Christ have more cause to grieve.
By Lance Landall
“ ‘And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you
did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ ‘Then He will say to those
on the left hand , ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the
devil and his angels’ ” (Matt 25:40,41, NKJV).
“ ‘So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or
sister has something against you [because you’ve wronged them], leave your gift there
before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and
offer your gift’ ” (Matt 5:23,24).
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Phil 2:4).
“And we urge you, brothers….encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient
[long suffering] with them all.” (1 Thess 5:14, ESV).
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak...” (Rom 15:1, NIV).
No Love Burns Brighter
They said you asked after me. Well, that’s nice, but is that it?
After all, you know where I live, and there’s the phone, you must admit.
A letter wouldn’t go amiss, even a note, (a sentence or two),
But at the end of the day, it’s a visit that I’d like from you.
Anyone can say things like “How is he?” or “Say hi for me,”
But they’re just words from a distance, often said casually.
When folk really care, they make and take the time to visit you,
They don’t rely on others, make passing comments -- no, such won’t do.
Their loves bigger than that, they don’t take the easy way out,
Instead, the very thing love would do, they quickly carry out.
Once they know that you’re missing, they have got you in their sights,
Which is why you treasure them, for their love is up in lights.
And so it is with God, for His love also brightly burns,
Which is why your every need He intuitively discerns.
He is always there for you as if you’re the only one,
Yes, a God who’s love itself, and who at your cry will run.
By Lance Landall
