“3Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” — Romans 2:3-4 (ESV)
Paul is so right in his letter. We in society expect things based on what we want or more accurately, what we desire. There is little true seeking of things that are in line with the will and example of God (or maybe I am just not seeing it as I am blinded by all of the chaos). Man is in a constant state of passing judgment on others that seeing the wrong in our own lives is not happening.
“3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)
Jesus spoke these words and Paul reiterated them in his letter to the Romans. There is too much judging of others and not enough looking at self. It is important for me to first take a look at myself and where I am in my relationship with Christ before, and really not at all, I take into account where others are.
It is important for us to look inward prior to looking outward. I have to remember that in order to effectively help and aid others in the name of Christ, I have to get myself right with Him first. When I am in closer concert with Him, I will then be able to do His will in my life and positively impact the lives of others. I recently met with a friend that is going through a difficult patch. Whereas the circumstances are a significant challenge, I had to remember not to try and fix it. I was able to provide advice based on my challenges and only offer that and prayer for God’s love as they worked through the difficulty. I wanted them to know, and hope that I made it clear, that God and I love them and will lift them up to deal with this. I did not hold them to a different standard than I and only offered support.
Too often we want to “fix” or “help” someone else and where that is a noble cause and jester, it may not be what is really needed. Before we can help others, we must seek help in our own lives. We are not to judge, only to love. What we spread, we will receive back so does it not make sense to spread God’s love?
What is your approach when seeing others and their challenges? Are you finding yourself in a position of judging them? What if we sought repentance and redemption in our own lives and relationships with Christ as opposed to judging others and their relationship with Him?
Trevor's Thoughts 