Recently, we had a guest speaker at my church and he mentioned that he did not know anyone in the congregation. However, he made such a sweet point: He told us that even though we don't know each other, we are known by God. We are a family and will be together forever.
I wrote in my journal that day: "This does something to my heart."
These words from the speaker remind me of how Paul would write letters to the church. Although he was not with them, his love for them compelled him to treat them as his very own family. He truly saw them as his brothers and sisters in Christ. He wanted the best for them, so he both corrected them and encouraged them in his love inspired by faith.
James 2 does beautiful justice to this message. This word encourages us to see everyone from eyes not tainted with partiality.. as God Himself is impartial.
It teaches us that "believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism."
For example, "if you pay special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
In this world, we so easily can fall into the trap of looking at the outward appearances of our fellow men. That is why "solitude" in this sense is so important. To be detached from this world. To "think on things above, not on things below" (Col. 3:2). One must really crucify their flesh and stay in God's Word to think His thoughts.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom. 12:2).
It is our calling to give others the benefit of the doubt and see ALL sin as an illness. James tells us, "..for whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."
Knowing this, who are any of us to judge our brothers and sisters? Sin is sin is sin. We ALL sin, so we have no right to act as if another's is worse than our own. "For he who said 'You shall not commit adultery' also said 'You shall not commit murder.'"
Mercy is due for all. I am to show mercy, as I would want mercy in return. When I get irritated with others' sins, I have a few jobs:
1) Ask the Lord to help me set my mind on things above.
2) Take a breath and pray for that person. Do NOT respond from irritation or judgement; it does not help anyone.
3) Acknowledge myself as a sinner and ask for forgiveness.
4) Remember that that person is God's creation, He loves them, and He sees all.
5) Remember to give them the benefit of the doubt, as we have all had our weak moments.
6) Guard my heart.
7) Ask myself how I would want to be loved and shown mercy if I were them.
7) Seek to see qualities of God in that person, rather than carnal weaknesses. Be the person that looks for the good.
"If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."
Remember, those of us who believe are a family and will be together forever... and those who do not believe need to know the love and mercy of God through our example. We may be the only Bible they will ever read.
Comentários