Is your neighbor a sinner? Do they have things you feel you should have as well? Are they seemingly always on the winning side of things despite their sinful ways? The answer in short is yes. Mine are the same, and guess what, I am a sinner too. I wrote about being restored first and then teaching others sinners and this is an extension of that study this morning.
“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)
I know, the above passage is about judging others when clearly we are not in the position to do so. It was however the first passage I thought of when reading about envying others for what they have when I am similar to them and should first get my own house in order. I have to remember that I am just as sinful as others and I have to get right first and then, not judge others, but teach them. Not envy them but teach them.
“17Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.”
— Proverbs 23:17 (ESV)
Whatever it is in the world, someone else will likely have something that is certainly different and could be more than what we currently have. “The grass is always greener…” This is referring to the idea that what is over there is more than what is right here. Yet, once we get to over there, which then becomes right here, what was is now seen in a different light and become the envy, simply because it is now over there. I know that was a long and confusing circle, but here is the thing I think of, focus on what is in your own back yard and allow that which is not to exist with whose back yard it is currently in. As indicated in the verse above I have to “continue in the fear of the LORD” and not worry with what is not in that scope.
God provides that which I need. Whether it is provision for the sustaining of life here, or the tools and resources to do His work. I have to remember to look to Him for all of it and not look at what others have or the results of their actions and somehow creating a hole in my life. God has provides for His people and that includes me, the sinner. Other sinners are provided for based on their relationship with God. I have to focus on getting my relationship right with Him and then bringing the gospel to others. If those sinners I bring the gospel to see and recognize the need to accept the gift from God, then I have done my part and that will bring joy to the face of God.
What I have is enough. God makes sure of it and what others have are of no consequence to me and my relationship with Christ.
What do you see in those sinners around you that you are envious? Are you more focused on what they have as opposed to what you have? What if you were to simply “continue in the fear of the LORD” and allow Him to provide for you, as a sinner, and then you teach others His way?
Trevor's Thoughts 