WHO ARE THE MEN GOD CAN USE IS THIS GREAT HOUR OF NEED? 22b. BIG-HEARTED MEN

"And there were two thieves crucified with him" (Matthew 27:38).

"And he made his grave with the wicked" (Isaiah 53:9).

Big-hearted men are men who do not hold grudges towards those who have messed up and fallen in life. Honestly men, where would any of us be if God held grudges like some of us do towards each other's faults and failings? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we should be big-hearted towards sin, for that is compromise. But, we must be big-hearted towards sinners in order to lovingly draw them back to God.

May God save us from our self-righteous attitudes towards sinners which can hinder the loving heart of Christ who died to save them. Jesus Christ was willing enough to die between two thieves in order to save them. That was not a coincident. It was a statement in order to save them. Now, that is being big-hearted, is it not?

How far are we men willing to go to save thieves, adulterers, etc. Honestly men, condemning  sinners and criticizing drug addicts, alcoholics, and perverts might make us feel more godly, but is it really godly? Keeping our distance from them won't get them saved.

Big-hearted men are more than willing to give sinners a second chance, or even "seventy times seven" chances that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 18:22. We may not trust them, but we must forgive them, Big-heartedness will often necessitate that our shoes will get a little dirty in order to win the lost or restore the fallen back to God.

Be encouraged. Colin