Are there things other people do which you find troubling? I am not speaking about something annoying or illegal, but actions, attitudes, tone, or behaviour you judge as wrong? There are things we see easily in others they do not seem to notice. All people have a tendency to size up others according to our own personal convictions or opinions. There are few things easier than finding fault with others, seeing as there is no one who is faultless!
God is an amazing redeemer of lost sinners. Repenting and trusting in Christ does not mean we are suddenly perfect in thought, word, or deed. The trouble is, having our eyes opened to the truth of God's Word suddenly shines light into all areas of darkness in our lives. This can lead to people saved by grace through faith condemning others for their faults, real or imagined. It is good for Christians to remember we will each answer for ourselves before God. We will have to account for verses like Romans 2:1: "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."
This explains a wondrous principle which can aid us greatly in walking uprightly ourselves. When our hackles are raised over the behaviour or attitudes of someone else, Paul revealed in condemning the other person we condemn ourselves. The fact we are sensitised to their sin shows that I practice the exact same things myself. If I become angry because of a "tone" taken with me, isn't it true I take that "tone" with others? Paul was once a Pharisee of Pharisees, a self-righteous hypocrite whose life was bound up in obedience to the Law and following traditions of men. It is no surprise then that Paul was highly sensitised to legalism and bondage from the Law. That was his natural bent, but God had transformed him through the Gospel.
When I am irritated by someone else, it is a signal I need to change. My perspective needs to be re-calibrated upon God and the grace He has given. me. There is a place to judge righteously according to scripture, but that is God's judgment - not mine. We have a duty and responsibility to hold others accountable to living righteously, but we also must be accountable to others in humility. I love how God is able to redeem even the hypocrisy of our flesh to open our eyes to faults we did not recognise in ourselves. Instead of condemning others, let us judge ourselves and live right before God. Leverage negative impressions of others to search your own heart, not holding any grudge against others. There is no condemnation for those who walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
God is an amazing redeemer of lost sinners. Repenting and trusting in Christ does not mean we are suddenly perfect in thought, word, or deed. The trouble is, having our eyes opened to the truth of God's Word suddenly shines light into all areas of darkness in our lives. This can lead to people saved by grace through faith condemning others for their faults, real or imagined. It is good for Christians to remember we will each answer for ourselves before God. We will have to account for verses like Romans 2:1: "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."
This explains a wondrous principle which can aid us greatly in walking uprightly ourselves. When our hackles are raised over the behaviour or attitudes of someone else, Paul revealed in condemning the other person we condemn ourselves. The fact we are sensitised to their sin shows that I practice the exact same things myself. If I become angry because of a "tone" taken with me, isn't it true I take that "tone" with others? Paul was once a Pharisee of Pharisees, a self-righteous hypocrite whose life was bound up in obedience to the Law and following traditions of men. It is no surprise then that Paul was highly sensitised to legalism and bondage from the Law. That was his natural bent, but God had transformed him through the Gospel.
When I am irritated by someone else, it is a signal I need to change. My perspective needs to be re-calibrated upon God and the grace He has given. me. There is a place to judge righteously according to scripture, but that is God's judgment - not mine. We have a duty and responsibility to hold others accountable to living righteously, but we also must be accountable to others in humility. I love how God is able to redeem even the hypocrisy of our flesh to open our eyes to faults we did not recognise in ourselves. Instead of condemning others, let us judge ourselves and live right before God. Leverage negative impressions of others to search your own heart, not holding any grudge against others. There is no condemnation for those who walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
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