"Fractious"

Now what does the word "Fractious" have to do with me? This week as noted, I have been pondering the idea of coming to our Enemies (per se), with love. Last night our Wednesday night "Link Group" or study group, talked more about what it was, and how we are to do this. We reflected on the the story of David and Saul. David came to this enemy(Saul) with grace and Love,(1 Samuel 24:1-4)despite the fact that his enemy was out to kill him. Where do we have to start to understand how we "should" come to our enemies, even when someone is out to harm us, physically or mentally? How can we learn to love them?

Last weeks sermon made it very clear to me that "we", yes "we are our very worst enemy." I believe to truly love someone outside ourselves and God, the second most important commandment,(Mark 12:31) we must understand God's love for us. And do not get me wrong, it is so challenging at times. We talk about the impersonal or minor thorns in the side.(ie.bad drivers, random daily occurrences) As our hearts reach for holiness and Christ-likeness, I believe our perspective will slowly change. I have seen it in my own life. Again, "we are our own worst enemy", I can recall arguments with friends that I continued to fuel the issues. How do we approach these differences in a most Godly way? Hmm... I ponder.

Obviously, each of us has our own kind of "foe" or issue that holds us back from loving. Do you ever find yourself in a "fractious" state, maybe this morning?
Defined it merely is to be stubbornly resistant to authority or control, even better, to be easily irritated or annoyed. Personally, I try to make myself more aware of my actions and areas where I can improve.

I read Colossians today, how amazing and rich is the Word! After reading a verse I leaned back and thought.(The only way to make peace with everything in our lives on earth is through Christ, and through the gift and hope he provided.) Understand this, "We", were once His enemy, separated from Him by our evil thoughts and actions, yet now He has brought us back as His friends. He has done this through His death on the cross in His own human body.Paraphrased(Colossians 1:20-22)

Do you think this is an example to live up too?

So how do we start to tame the fractious animal inside?

I think a great start is to live(Colossians 3:12-15)

Let's remember the most important piece of clothing to wear!