Love is Patient

[Ramez5]

We should not do what pleases us 2 but do what pleases them and is for their good. We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith. Romans 15:1-2

I really think I must be the most gullible person in the world lol. The sales people got me again. The next time I face a 'sales' situation, by God's grace, I am going to pray hard that the Lord's Spirit goes with me to warn me against tricks and help me to avoid them.
Truly, cell phone sales people are as manipulative as used car salesmen! Speaking of which, I'm going to look at cars with my son today, so I'll get to put this promise into practice right away.

I found out today, that a device I bought to get wifi for my tablet last night, was completely unnecessary. The t-mobile guy on the phone last night, who was helping with a problem with my new phone said that my new (less expensive) phone functions as a wi-fi hotspot! Meaning I can run my tablet with it while in the car or away from home.

But the sales girl last night, talked me into adding a fourth line and buying this little mobile hot-spot. Today I am taking it back. lol She knew it was unnecessary and that the extra line was just a complete waste of money for me. But it meant lots of profit for her, especially if I never figured out what had happened. lol

So today, I'll be at the phone store for a third time.. a little wiser and more wary. Sadly, I'll have to pay another restocking fee to return the gadget, but I can cancel the line and service. So in the long run it's worth it. How grateful I am that a super duper Tmobile guy on the phone volunteered the info about my phone's capabilities! It's great news!

Why mention my little struggle to you? Because God used this experience to show me selfishness and lack of grace this morning. While trying to pray and begin my special time with the Lord, my mind kept running back to the fact that I felt'tricked'. I wasn't fuming..by God's grace.. but I was really bothered. Selfish thoughts were rearing their ugly head in my heart. Lord, please forgive me for that!

The Holy Spirit reminded me of two things. One--my own improper desires got me into the situation in the first place. James 1:14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Had I been content with just the phone, and my tablet's lack of connectivity, then it could never have taken place.

Had I just listened to Him.. and perhaps called Tim and asked what he thought, instead of making the decision on my own, I'd have been fine. I had stepped out on my own in this decision. Looking back I see that now. I'm so glad the Lord let me do this.. if only to reveal a deeper level of sin ingrained in me than I was aware of consciously! Thank you so much Lord!

Two--She's not a Christian.. and I ought to be patient with her failings and weaknesses. She's doing what any worldly person, without scruples would do, taking advantage of a foolish woman carried away by her own fleshly desires. That may seem a harsh estimation of myself. I can assure you that it doesn't bother me to describe myself that way. I was foolish..and it was my own desires that tripped me up.

But, I should be patient with her and kind today, when I return the device. She doesn't know any better. If Jesus has extended so much grace to me, then that's the least I can do for her.

"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18
What would Jesus do in my shoes? Extend grace. Will I clothe myself with Jesus before I go to that store.. or put up a fuss?
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14

We ought to be patient with the sinfulness, infirmities, and errors of the weak.. whether weak in their faith and understanding of the great Grace of God.. or completely lost...and separated from Christ.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We didn't deserve His grace.. yet He gave it. Can we not do that for others? Can we extend grace to the guy who cuts in front of us on the highway, or is yapping away on their cellphones, slowing us down, or who grabs a spot in front of us at the grocery store? Or who cheats us because we weren't being careful? "Yes Lord, I sure can!"

There, but for the grace of God, go I. Were we not once sinners who lived only for ourselves? Do we not still live self-centered lives? Yes we do.. I do. My flesh is alive and well as it has ever been.. well maybe not as well. Thank the Lord for the daily victories he gives me over my flesh. But given half a chance.. my SELF will take over in a heartbeat!
That being the case, we who are strong.. whether in our understanding of our freedom in Christ, or in our faith.. not being bound in sin.. ought to be patient with the faults and weaknesses of others. We are strong only in Christ. Apart from him, WE are that selfish person who tramples on the rights of others.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible
And not to please ourselves - Not to make it our main object to gratify our own wills. We should be willing to deny ourselves, if by it we may promote the happiness of others. This refers particularly to "opinions" about meats and drinks; but it may be applied to Christian conduct generally, as denoting that we are not to make our own happiness or gratification the standard of our conduct, but are to seek the welfare of others.
The main point of this passage from today's assigned reading was that we ought to bear up and be patient with the failings, doubts, and scruples of those who are not yet strong in the faith. Golly, that's the least we can do for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

It would be so sad, if we ever felt the freedom to 'do' anything or drink or eat or watch whatever, and insist on doing it in front of weaker brothers or sisters.. because we are 'free' to do so. How selfish that would be!
We are called to extend grace to everyone. The stronger you are in Jesus and in your faith.. the more you ought to give grace to those around you.. Christian or not.
How glad I am that the Lord showed me this before I head out to return my wi-fi gadget and before my son, Christian, and I go out to test drive used cars.
Dear Lord, Please fill both me and my readers with your overflowing grace--the same grace you gave us. Help us to see that we are your 'ambassadors' to the lost, and instruments of your grace to the weak in the body. If we are as 'strong' as we think we are, let us prove it by our patient bearing of the weaknesses and faults of others today, so that those around us will be edified. In Your Dear Name we pray, Amen