Victoria is 19 months old and is quite mischievous. She gets herself into trouble often. Sometimes it requires scolding from Grammy which I hate! My point - even though she misbehaves and requires discipline I still love her with all my heart. She is a precious little girl with flaws.
We have precious people in our churches who sometimes are mischievous and make poor choices in life who also have flaws. Often times these folks find themselves in places they really don't want to be. As Christians we must come alongside them and encourage them and love them. Shunning them and judging them will only push them further away from God
Luke 6:37-41 (The Message) "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." 41-42"It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
One of the most frustrating parts of pastoring is dealing with those in the church who are always judging everything EVERYONE else does but fails to see their own flaws. God did not place us on this earth to be judges. The church is not a courtroom. The church is a place of recovery. It is a place that should be filled to overflowing with love and compassion. As Christians we need to be a support to those who are struggling with sins in their lives.
I want to encourage you today to pray for those in your church who might be struggling with poor choices they have made. Encourage them to repent and begin a life of restoration. Walk with them as they begin to put the pieces of their lives back together. Any of us could fail today. Not one of us is exempt from making poor choices. The flesh is weak and if we let our guard down we can also be extremely vulnerable to poor choices.
Blessings to you today!
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ReplyDeletehi, Deborah, you're right. Sometimes we have to deal with that type of person who use to judge everything and everyone in the church. Reading your post has inspired me to keep praying for them, though sometime it's too painful to pray for:)Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteYou have so much inspiring posts on your blog. I always love reading your blog. Thank you for being God's blessing for me..
Kristine
This post is wonderful!! If I had a printer I would print it out!! Well, we do have one in the other room but if I take the laptop in there the laptop might go out again! It is so touchy!! So I am not taking any chances!! Thanks for such a good post!! Love and Hugs Grams
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder that we have all been saved by GRACE and the ground at the cross is all even. Nobody is without sin ...and we all have to repent. I pray God will help us to embrace those who are hurting in our churches and NOT hurt those that hurting in our churches! - God Bless, Laurie
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT reminder. God has been working in my heart and life in the area of LOVE.
ReplyDeleteI have been learning that when self is sitting on the throne, it's so easy for me to walk in judgement of others. But as I Cor. 13 says, LOVE is the greatest gift.
For love ALWAYS, is patient, kind, doesn't envy, doesn't boats, is NOT proud (we are proud when we judge for we feel we are better) , it's not rude, it's not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no recored of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres. Love NEVER fails.
For when we TRULY love...the type of LOVE that our Father has towards us, we no longer can walk in judgement....for we will only see people, through Jesus' eyes..and well have such compassion for others...and our hearts will WEEP for the hurting, rather than judge.
Thanks so MUCH for touching this subject, that often doesn't like to be heard.
Blessings to you.
Kim~
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteLike all children, God's children sometimes make poor choices. We all have been guilty of it. Thank you for this great post. I enjoyed it and the children are darling.
Blessings,
Mary