January 21, 2021 - Among the many fables given to us by Aesop is the one of “The North Wind and The Sun.” It seems a dispute arose between the north wind and the sun, each claiming that he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed to try their powers upon a traveler, to see which could soonest strip him of his cloak. The north wind had the first try; and gathering up all his force for the attack, he came whirling furiously down upon the man, and caught up his cloak as though he would wrest it from him by one single effort. But the harder he blew, the more closely the man wrapped it round himself. Then came the turn of the sun. At first, he beamed gently upon the traveler, who soon unclasped his cloak and walked on with it hanging loosely about his shoulders. Then he shone forth in his full strength, and the man, before he had gone many steps, was glad to throw his cloak right off and complete his journey more lightly clad.
You see, it is better to persuade than to coerce. We need to realize that God does not force obedience from mankind. God gently warms our hearts with His love. It was the warmth of God’s love that sent Jesus to this earth to live among men. It was the warmth of the love of Jesus that caused Him to go to the cross to die for our sins. God wants us to respond to the warmth of his love by living His kind of life, His way, in loving obedience. How can men and women turn their back on the kind of love that God has so graciously shown us?
It’s something to think about … tbp
You see, it is better to persuade than to coerce. We need to realize that God does not force obedience from mankind. God gently warms our hearts with His love. It was the warmth of God’s love that sent Jesus to this earth to live among men. It was the warmth of the love of Jesus that caused Him to go to the cross to die for our sins. God wants us to respond to the warmth of his love by living His kind of life, His way, in loving obedience. How can men and women turn their back on the kind of love that God has so graciously shown us?
It’s something to think about … tbp
Center Church of Christ
110 Hurst Street
Center, Texas
