All throughout history, and including today, mankind has always had the propensity to turn away from God and find their own way. But Holy Spirit is always in pursuit of mankind trying to draw them to Himself. Jesus told the disciples: John 15:16 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
There is nothing in the nature of sinners that would cause Him to not pursue them with love and forgiveness, drawing them back to Himself that they might be in relationship with Him. Jesus gave the example in Matthew and Luke of leaving the flock of sheep that are secure and safe to go after the one that is lost. And He then says in Luke 15:7 …..there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Jesus is pursuing His children to try and bring them back to Him!
- No matter how far they have strayed, He is pursuing them
- No matter how filthy they have gotten, He is pursuing them
- No matter how contaminated they have become, He is pursuing them
The person that you are really struggling with, He is pursuing them. The individual that just treated you badly, He is pursuing them. The one who almost caused you to have an accident on the road by doing something stupid this morning, He is pursuing them. The one that made a mistake and you are faced with the brunt of that mistake, He is pursuing them. The one who posted something in social media that you have taken offense to and may have even been directed toward you, He is pursuing them.
It would be good to take this into consideration before we respond to any of the above situations. If Jesus is pursuing them, maybe we shouldn’t back off in believing the best for them either. Just saying…..
All in All the Time