"We consider other people as if they don't have God, but the reality is that they have
God but they just don't know it. God said to His word that what He cleansed we must
not call common.
Acts 10:15 The voice spoke to him again, a second time, "What God has cleansed
you must not call it common!"
Common
Having no special distinction or quality; widely known or commonly encountered;
average or ordinary or usual.
We must remember that God is God of all
We must remember that we're now, because under grace and not by law
Some of us think that God only exist on our side.
In John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but has everlasting life." Also in Romans
5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we we're sinners,
Christ died for us."
These two passages are just few examples that Christ died for us all because of the
Father. That's why Paul said in the book of Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute
you; bless and not curse" and in verse 20 and 21, "If your enemy is hungry feed him; if
he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his
head. Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute
you."
But it doesn't mean that they're save because in Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace we have
been saved through faith, and that not of you; it is the gift of God." That's why we are
here to give them that kind of faith, in 2 Timothy 1:9 "He is the one who saved us and
called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace,
granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began."
God has purpose in people's attitudes for us
1. God use their attitudes to understand them.
2. God use their attitudes to stretch our patience. (just like Stephen)
3. God use their attitudes to challenge us. (just like Paul)
4. God use their attitudes to display His power. (just like Pharaoh)
5. God use their attitudes to so that we can learn to love them. (just like Jesus)
In short God use their attitudes to mold us.
How to win them?
1. Know their reasons
2. Understand them (understand not tolerate)
3. Make friends with them, start to share and inspire
4. Pray for them
5. Pray for yourself
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ
Jesus."