"Our Partiality"

"I am as a wonder unto many; but Thou art my strong refuge." (Psalms 71:7) If I could have anything etched on my tombstone, I think this verse would suit me just fine. Although, I don't think we get to pick what gets put on our tombstones; not unless we prearrange everything before we die. Maybe that's not such a bad idea, to prepay all of your own burial expenses; otherwise, you will just wind up getting cremated and divided up into a bunch of jars. Getting back to something that I said yesterday, as to how we are to act out this love we have been so graciously given; it's not really our choice as to who we are to love and not love; in case you did not get the message, Peter did say, "love for everyone." As far as his remarks concerning "old sins," it is my understanding that this is a reference to our previous condition, not to the fact that we no longer sin. In other words, we cannot look down on others for being sinners, because we all were once just as those who have not yet tasted redemption; so to try and not love someone because they might be a sinner, is something that is totally against what Jesus stands for; or more importantly, what He died for! The word "wonder" is more about a 'sign' or a 'miracle' than it is about wondering; not like people might not wonder about me, as if to say, "I wonder if he is really saved?" It might be easier to understand by taking it more in the context of the last verse, then you can put the two together, making it God's power that has been put on our life that is the "wonder" for some to notice, not our lives in general. It's more like looking beyond the weaknesses in someone's life, and instead, looking at Jesus showing up in them. That way we don't always focus on the worst part of people, but we instead look for the good in them; besides, isn't that the way you want people to look at you? I think we often look for the bad in people because it makes us feel better about ourselves; but in reality, it weakens the body of Christ, if to no other person than ourselves. Basically, what I am trying to say, is that we need to be the "miracle" that we are meant to be, by letting the Lord show up in us! At the same time, we must remember what we are and where we came from; because outside of Christ, we are really nothing at all; which is what "strong refuge" is all about, He is our hope and trust...
"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything." (1 John 3:16-20) NLT