There is one thing that will never change. People will always be people – no matter their personal level of sanctification. We have been given by God peculiar (some more peculiar than others) particular personality traits, which often conflict with the New Man, who is supposed to reflect the image of Christ.
Some Believers are just as abrasive, and persnickety, as they were B.C. (Before Christ). In short, some are just as tough to deal with as if they never had the greatest miracle ever happen to them. I’m talking about being justified by God!
A SINNER, ON THE WAY TO HELL, BUT DECLARED RIGHTEOUS BY A HOLY GOD!
What is there not to be joyful about?
The same answer is for everyone, regardless of their personal situations, or traits. The answer is – the Gospel.
Modern Christianity has adopted the same tactics of secular philosophies. That is to treat symptoms, rather than the whole problem. Namely, each problem in life is dealt with as another step toward being complete. After all, everyone is basically good – NOT!
The Biblical Truth, however, is that one is made COMPLETE in Christ. Biblical Christianity runs, or should run, contrary to worldly philosophies, and religions.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: – Colossians 2:10
You may not realize it, but you just may have become sidetracked from the Truth of the Gospel by some mundane work of the flesh, forgetting that the old man is indeed dead (Romans 6:4-11). The Believer is indeed a “new creature” IN Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15).
Wait! How does this apply to the fact that people are people, and have their own peculiar traits?
The answer is not in correcting the outward appearances, and actions, of others. The answer is in growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. – 2 Peter 1:1-4
Though Peter directly wrote to those scattered in the diaspora, there is much for us to hold onto today.
- Because of the Gospel, we have obtained salvation, that was imputed to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. There as a divine exchange. He took upon Himself our sins, and we received His righteousness, in exchange.
- We, like them, have grace and peace multiplied through knowing Him. Our understanding of our identification IN Him is made ever so clear – unless, of course, you are looking to your own actions for justification and/or sanctification.
When we grow in that grace and knowledge, we then see, or should see, people in an entirely different light. We no longer look at people for the way they were (even if they act in the same manner, after the flesh). We see them as we see Christ, as well as the way Christ sees us.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
In closing; when dealing with people (believers and unbelievers alike) who you see as abrasive, and maybe even just a little different than you, though it can be hard to do (especially in the flesh), they should be treated with grace.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. – Colossians 3:12-17
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. – Colossians 4:5-6
Bob Picard, Pastor God’s Grace Bible Church
Millbury, Massachusetts
http://www.godsgracebc.org
info@godsgracebc.org
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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