Being My Sister's Keeper - Part II

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that is much needed as we seek to serve our sisters in Christ through bearing one another's burdens and bringing Biblical correction. If you are wondering why it is taking a sister so long to change ask the Lord to remind you how patient He has been with you, especially with battling sinful habits that are long-standing. You have discovered that His mercies are new every morning. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind Scriptures abounding with grace and hope: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." 2 Corinthians 9:8. A little later in Chapter 12:9, 10 he writes "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' " As we learn how to care for one another may we ask the Lord for hearts that are full of compassion, the ability to stand with a sister as she learns to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and tender hearts that are willing to be patient and wait for the Lord to do His work in our sister. Learn to call out her name in fervent prayer rather than grumble or complain about her lack of progress. Entrust her to God who knows best what her exact needs are. When she comes to you again and confesses her failures be quick to remind her that she is clothed in Christ's righteousness, not her own works. Turn her eyes back to the Savior and away from her failings. Agree to stand with her as she learns more and more to entrust herself to Christ. Hear the words of Jude and his confidence in the Lord: "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." Jude 24,25.
~ Brenda Edwards