It is a natural tendency for us to focus on faults we perceive in ourselves or others. Sometimes these faults are merely a matter of preference, style, or opinion. Yet in all of us there are genuine faults, damning sins to be repented of: selfishness, pride, deceit, greed, and covetousness. These blemishes cannot be covered up or ignored because everyone does them. Bad behaviour and sinful characteristics in people provides instruction for the wise coupled with the insight of the Holy Spirit: every fault we see in someone else and condemn, we are guilty of the same.
Finding fault in others might be the easiest task ever. Doing this also plays to our own pride, thinking we are somehow superior to others because we have not made the same mistakes. What we fail to recognise is whilst we may not have made the precise mistake because our circumstances differ, the sinful heart and mind found in us is just as deeply flawed and calls for judgment from God. The things which bother us the most in others tend to be things we still do or used to do. It grates upon us because it is so us. We must be careful even in our explanations of behaviours which irritate us lest we become those whom we reproach.
One thing I am sensitive to is the criticism of other Christians, especially those who appear in the Bible. God has graciously provided us His uncensored Word, not covering or justifying faults of flawed people who trusted in God. It is a grief to my soul when believers today (and I have been guilty myself in the past) of mocking, scorning, and criticising actions of people in scripture, condemning them for a fault when God commended their faith. To scoff at the unbelief of the Hebrews in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt is to scoff at ourselves if we will be honest. To criticise Elijah for fleeing from Jezebel or Peter who denied Jesus is beside the point: are we any better? A list in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:32-34 is a great example: "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."
Instead of trotting out a disclaimer about the notable faults of each of these people, it was their faith the writer of Hebrews emphasised and affirmed. We all have faults to be sure, but this does not condemn us before a God who accounts faith in Him as righteousness. This should in no way embolden us to sin, but the grace, longsuffering, and goodness of God towards sinners should humble us and urge us to righteous living pleasing to God. As I grow older I begin to understand a bit better why David said in light of the harsh actions of his cousins, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?" While they bayed for blood, justice, and revenge, David realised he already had enough blood on his hands. I am grown weary of finding fault, and it seems my faults are ever before me.
Faith in God is always better than the appearance of perfection or the self-righteous criticism of others. Praise the LORD He will not bring my faults to remembrance when I stand before Him, but by faith in Christ He will enable me to stand. Jesus is the one who will present me faultless (despite my faults!) before the Father with exceeding joy. The walls of the courtrooms on earth have heard a great deal of testimony concerning heinous crimes committed, but what sin will there be to recount before the judgment seat of Christ when all sins of the saved have already been expunged by Him? God knows what He has done, and Christ's followers know it too. If we will not remind Him of our sins on that Day, why should we mock or scorn others for their faults today?
Finding fault in others might be the easiest task ever. Doing this also plays to our own pride, thinking we are somehow superior to others because we have not made the same mistakes. What we fail to recognise is whilst we may not have made the precise mistake because our circumstances differ, the sinful heart and mind found in us is just as deeply flawed and calls for judgment from God. The things which bother us the most in others tend to be things we still do or used to do. It grates upon us because it is so us. We must be careful even in our explanations of behaviours which irritate us lest we become those whom we reproach.
One thing I am sensitive to is the criticism of other Christians, especially those who appear in the Bible. God has graciously provided us His uncensored Word, not covering or justifying faults of flawed people who trusted in God. It is a grief to my soul when believers today (and I have been guilty myself in the past) of mocking, scorning, and criticising actions of people in scripture, condemning them for a fault when God commended their faith. To scoff at the unbelief of the Hebrews in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt is to scoff at ourselves if we will be honest. To criticise Elijah for fleeing from Jezebel or Peter who denied Jesus is beside the point: are we any better? A list in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:32-34 is a great example: "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."
Instead of trotting out a disclaimer about the notable faults of each of these people, it was their faith the writer of Hebrews emphasised and affirmed. We all have faults to be sure, but this does not condemn us before a God who accounts faith in Him as righteousness. This should in no way embolden us to sin, but the grace, longsuffering, and goodness of God towards sinners should humble us and urge us to righteous living pleasing to God. As I grow older I begin to understand a bit better why David said in light of the harsh actions of his cousins, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?" While they bayed for blood, justice, and revenge, David realised he already had enough blood on his hands. I am grown weary of finding fault, and it seems my faults are ever before me.
Faith in God is always better than the appearance of perfection or the self-righteous criticism of others. Praise the LORD He will not bring my faults to remembrance when I stand before Him, but by faith in Christ He will enable me to stand. Jesus is the one who will present me faultless (despite my faults!) before the Father with exceeding joy. The walls of the courtrooms on earth have heard a great deal of testimony concerning heinous crimes committed, but what sin will there be to recount before the judgment seat of Christ when all sins of the saved have already been expunged by Him? God knows what He has done, and Christ's followers know it too. If we will not remind Him of our sins on that Day, why should we mock or scorn others for their faults today?
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