LABELS ACTS 9:13-14 Lord, Ananias answered, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. (NIV) Just like the believers in the Book of Acts, we have a tendency to place a label on others. We sometime go as far as to remind God what kind of an individual He is dealing with just like Ananias, as if we know more than God. We label people based on their past and what we have heard about them. Even after an individual has given their life to Christ, or repented and turned back to Christ we still hold their past against them and many times we are watching with a close eye waiting for them to make a mistake so that we can justify the label we have placed over them. We do that so that we can feel good about ourselves thinking we are better but the reality is that we all have a past. Paul was known for the nasty things he did to the believers, dragging them from their homes, flogging them and having those who resisted killed all in the name of serving God. Now that he was born again, how was he supposed to fit in the family yet the people already had labeled him as an enemy of the faith? How was he to change their perception of him? What was he to do to make them believe that he was a changed man? Because even some of them Paul had killed their husbands, wives, children, friends, or relatives. Paul simply forgot about the past that God had already forgiven him about and he focused on where God was taking him and who God was changing him to be. No wonder he was able to write; Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. “ What have people labeled you? What do they call you? Do you find that as much as you are trying to move on in the things that God is calling you, your past is always brought before you? Do they still call you a thief or a loose woman, or a womanizer? Do not allow those labels to stick on you and deter you from fulfilling your God ordained purpose. The thing about a label is that it is always found on the outside. It does not determine the contents of the package. When a product is manufactured, it is only the manufacturer who has the authority to label the product he has created. Only God therefore has the authority to label you. There are 2 kinds of labels, one that is stuck on the product and another that is printed or engraved on the product. Peel off the different labels that others have stuck on you and as you endeavor and continue to pursue God, expose the label that the Lord has engraved on you. Just like Saul, though people may talk about you, forget those things that are behind you and become Paul to fulfill the purpose that God has for you. His label over you says that you are more than a conqueror; His label over you says that you can do all things through Christ who give you strength. He has called you the righteousness of God. That is what you are so focus on that and move on and dont focus on any other label that others may put on you! Peel off and burn all the labels that others have put on you believe the label that God has put on you and like Paul move on to do great things in His name! On the other hand, we should never have this attitude of labeling people, this or that. We only know their past, their present and future God who knows better. The fact that you disagree with someone, the fact that you do not go in the same church, the fact that s/he is of a different race, gender, tribe, class, should not be a reason for us to label any one negatively. Even if you have to part ways because you differed in ideologies provided they are still born again, embrace them as one in the family. Don’t we have families and don’t have disagreements amongst ourselves many times and even different characters yet that do not change the fact we belong to the same family. Jesus Christ said, Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 Labeling and tagging people negatively is as good as being judgmental, something which the Bible warns us against not once, not twice but so many times. Labeling people is driven by pride and prejudice and this is what the Bible says “Everyone [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD…” Proverb 16:5 Nabal full of himself saw David like that small shepherd boy and disregarded him, “But Nabal answered Davids servants and said, Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know? 1 Samuel 25:10-11, little did he know David was a King in the making. Do not despise anyone, do not label anyone the wrong way, they are still in the potter’s hand, God is not yet done with them and you may be surprised when the end product comes out. Do not say, “to hell with him/her”, because God has the final say, not us. Let the love of Christ reign in our hearts and see everyone as God would. Friend, thank you very much. I bless the Lord because of you, yes you. He died for you on the cross thus expressing how much He values you. God who began the good work in you, may Him bring it to completion. Thank you for your encouragements and prayer. May God receive all the glory. I wish you a wonder day in Jesus Name!
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:33:24 +0000
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