Bent

Our attitudes and thoughts shape our actions and reactions.

Jesus was just traveling though Samaria, on his way to Jerusalem—and the people of Samaria rejected him.

When James and John (his disciples) saw what was happening, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

Jesus rebuked them, saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9.54-56 NKJV)

The disciples were bent on revenge, judgement and destruction.

They even had a Bible verse to support their idea… biblical precedence—Elijah did it, we should do it too.

Jesus, on the other hand, was bent on grace, mercy and salvation.

He hadn’t come to destroy—but to save.

Jesus was basically telling his disciples: “You guys need to renew your mind and attitude! You might know your Bible but you’re mean and vengeful. It’s time for you to be motivated by what motivates me—I came to save people because I love them. I want you to be bent towards compassion, not judgment.”

I think it’s interesting how the disciples had a Bible verse and were using it to reinforce their wrong bent—their wrong attitude, thought, heart, and response.

It makes me wonder how many times I’ve attempted to use the Bible to reinforce my bent.

Having a good Bible verse to reinforce my position (or my bent) isn’t what I need…

I need Jesus to make me new—to give me a new heart, a new attitude and a new mind.

I need Him to make me bent like He is.

“You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.
?God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should aways clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love.” (Colossians 3.10, 12-14 NCV)

http://made-new.com/