Rejoice:

Read:

^{2 Corinthians 5:14} For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

This is from the same chapter we talked about in our last devotion, about how we are the tool God uses to appeal to the world… As I evaluated this I realized I get annoyed by annoying people because they are annoying. What if I loved annoying people because Jesus loved me? What if I cared about people because I cared about the Gospel? The reality is I am not being compelled by Christ’s love every day because His love is Him dying on the cross for our sins. That was what love looked like. Not being a nice person… I don’t value people because I don’t value the Gospel. Let me explain:

The neighbor that annoys you, the same spouse that you are constantly degrading in your head, the same boss who you can’t stand because they are always asking you to work… (duh) well those things we are thinking about are worldly things. This chapter tells us to look past those things. In verse 16 it says  ¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. The heavenly point of view is that people are opportunities for the Gospel. People are opportunities for redemption. No matter how broken or annoying someone is, they could be a tool for the Lord. They may be the next powerful evangelist working with the Lord to save hundreds of people! Yet we cannot look past the worldly things. 

We don’t truly value people because we don’t truly value the Gospel. If sharing God’s redemption was the highest priority in our life our actions would look radically different right?! It wouldn’t matter how annoying someone is or how many wrongs they have committed, we don’t want them to burn in hell for eternity (hopefully).

That annoying person may be the very next pastor, evangelist, apostle, etc. Every soul matters. You were worthless when Christ died for you. you are probably annoying. I am annoying! Praise the Lord that I wasn’t looked at and ignored due to my insufficiency.

Even if they are the most annoying person in the world, you can’t change them but God can. So tell them about Jesus! Share the Gospel so they will stop being annoying! I can’t promise that will work but…  like Paul says in Philippians 1 “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

Preach because Christ died for them and you, but if you can’t find the love then preach because they are annoying and you hope God will change them… #EvangelistsToTheAnnoying

Disclaimer: I am joking around here… but really I don’t care why you’re sharing the Gospel so if that motivates you then AWESOME! lol

Respond:

Spend 1 minute thanking God that when you were annoying and worthless He looked at you on an eternal value system instead of a worldly one. Then Spend 2-3 minutes and ask the Lord who around you He is trying to reach through you. There’s someone, because God is in the business of saving people.

Relate:

Did you pray that^^ If so… I don’t need to put anything here… keep praying and keep listening. He will guide you, you just have to trust Him.