Devotionals
Webster’s defines the word approachable as:
capable of being approached: ACCESSIBLE; specifically: easy to meet or deal with
My question today is this, are you approachable? Are you one that attracts the lonely and the abused because you are gentle and longsuffering? Are you accessible to the brokenhearted because your compassion for the hurting runs deep?
Or do people shy away from you because of your rough demeanor? Do you preach the law and offer no mercy? Do you preach truth without love?
I know there are many different types of personalities and several articles could be written just on that, but the question today is about whether we are approachable; do you attract or repel?
I’ve been brokenhearted and the worst possible thing that could happen is when some caring soul decides to point out all the wrongs I’d done, and to make matters worse when they used scripture to back it up! Many times the approach was all that was wrong! Many times they were right in what they said, but it was in their approach!
Many of you are saying, but aren’t we supposed to bring forth the truth and shine the light into darkness? Yes, but are you abrasive in your approach?
Let’s think for a moment about the woman who’d been caught in the act of adultery? She was guilty, the men that drug her to the feet of Jesus were absolutely correct. Even in all of their correctness about the matter, their approach was wrong! On the other hand, Jesus gave us the perfect example! Look at His words:
John 8:10-11 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
He could have yelled at her; He could have pointed out the ugly facts; He could have told her she’d really messed up; He could have quoted the law – He could have, but He didn’t! His approach was gentleness!
So what are we to do? Let’s look at II Timothy 2:24-26 in the Amplified Version:
And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.
He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],
And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.
A gentle spirit is approachable! Someone that has a passion for the lost will undoubtly live out compassion! Love produces joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness & temperance! Love is approachable! Love is accessible! Love reaches out! Love does not condemn!
If you’ve been guilty of dragging someone to the feet of Jesus, pointing out the error of their ways, I challenge you to please search your heart and the Word and see if your approach could be adjusted with a dose of love!
If you’re the one who has been drug to the feet of Jesus by a person attempting to point out the truth, please know that God is loving and merciful and gentle! Even when He chastises us, it is with great love! Perhaps you’ve been hurt by someone who had really good intentions, I challenge you to take this hurt to Jesus! He is accessible and approachable and waiting!
Jesus, so many people have been hurt by people with good intentions. Lord, on many platforms truth has been spoken, yet the approach was all wrong leaving many devastated. Today, we ask for a special touch on the lives of those who have walked away crushed by abrasiveness! Lord, we also ask that you forgive those of us who have gone about reaching the lost in an abrasive way. We want to be approachable and accessible to the broken-hearted so that we can lead them, rather than drag them, to Your feet! Help us to realize and understand how much compassion and tender mercy You’ve shown each one of us, and teach us Lord how to show compassion to those in our lives! In Your Mighty Name we humbly ask, AMEN
Further reading: II Timothy 2:24-26; John 8:1-11
© Jounda LaMance November 30, 2006
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We want to be approachable and accessible to the broken-hearted so that we can lead them, rather than drag them, to Your feet!.....God bless you, Randy
Thomas