Hardness Drives People Off, Love Draws Them

"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren." - 1 John 3:14

Many Christians stand up loyally for what is right, yet by the hardness of their attitude they offend against love. They have grown obsessive about righteousness, but deficient in charity. True, as Christian we should never compromise over the righteousness of God, but at the same time we should not strive with others.

Men and women are won by love, not by its opposite. In your contact with people, do not offend them. It is necessary, certainly, for you to obey God and not tone down His commands, but this should not lead you to offend your fellowmen by your attitude or your words. Hard inflexibility should give way in you to meekness and gentleness. That way, many will be attracted to the Lord. Hardness drives people off, but love draws them.

The Joyful Heart (Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)

Read the Scriptures: 1 John 3

Seek First

"But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33

Prayer will be answered if it aims at letting Christ have the first place in all things. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and God will add to us all our needs. May we transform the time of praying for our needs into a time of praying for God's affairs. God will then hear the prayer we have uttered - that is, prayer for the things of God; but He will also hear the prayer we have not uttered - that is, prayer for our own affairs. If we would ask first that the Lord receive His, He would cause us to receive ours too. One of the sweet experiences in the life of a Christian is to have prayer continually answered.

The Lord My Portion (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)

Read the Scriptures: Matthew 6