How embarrassing it is when Christian's behave stingy and judgmentally towards each other. How sad a testimony is that of the believer who endlessly seeks to control or find fault in another. For what right do any of us have to become “testy” over someone else's shortcomings? What narcissistic superiority do we carry in our pockets that permit us to focus ANY energy away from correcting our own sinful “planks”?
The simple answer is NONE!
Yet, so many "could-be-great" Christians spend endless amounts of energy disobediently and disrespectfully picking at their neighbor’s outward scabs and sores rather than diligently seeking after God's Word to bandage and mend their own inwardly bleeding hemorrhages. Rather than being kind and uplifting, we criticize the “speck of sawdust” we see in another while destructively taking delight in the ruse of our own self entitlement to point out their said flaws. Ohhhh, the lengths we will go to in order to sweep our own corruption under the rug of malignant satisfaction.
When we attempt to take on God's role and try to control and judge others - expecting people to jump through hoops that meet the traditions of our own human-imposed manipulations - we establish a false privy that measures someone else a little lower than ourselves on the ethical scale of holy performance. Sadly, in this particular sin, we become secretly comforted that a more flawed brother and/or sister exists in the body of Christ. For without the failures of these "others" to point out and condemn, we might have to face the reality that our own planks still exist and need work. Then we would need to address them head-on and be forced to acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s call to personally get right with God in the areas we have yet to surrender to Him. Oh my..., without the faults of others to analyze, debate and relish over, we would be free to intimately learn and obey God's Word! And if we all did this, every "could-be-great" believer could actually BE GREAT by choosing to LOVE FIRST because Jesus loved us first!
Friends, there is a universe of difference between spiritual discernment and legalistic imposition. Jesus, the only One worthy of judging mankind, said we must spend our time being vigilant to recognize and confess our sins to Him... and Him alone. We must seek Him first and allow Him to change our old, broken ways by teaching us to mirror His perfect example of LOVE. Clearly, to accomplish this call successfully, there is no time acceptable to spend belittling or scorning after another. Rather, let us re-adjust our selfish attire and choose to put on the whole armor of God! Why? So that we might each be edified by the hope of His kingdom come! Let’s humbly see one another through the Shepherd's tender eyes of grace and live worshipping His perfection alone. Because folks, only Jesus is perfect... and as His ambassadors, we are responsible to live holy and together in His Name. So, no more grumbling in the flock, please. No more personal, parsimonious, prejudice for the performance of perfect persons. Because (again), only Christ is perfect... and right... and able to save and restore each of us to full health and righteousness. Look to Him and LOVE because He instructs us to do so! Hallelujah to the King of kings for His eternal, sovereign wisdom!
With this in mind, this is the day to love and support each other joyfully!
Most importantly, this is the day to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
Be a great blessing today in His name and reflect God's love ALWAYS!
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)
Be kind to one another and LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
~Victoria
© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson
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