Jesus did not commit Himself to them…, for He knew what was
in man. —John 2:24-25
“[…] (T)he
disillusionment that comes from God brings us to the point where we see people
as they really are, yet without any cynicism or any stinging and bitter
criticism. […] According to our
thinking, everything is either delightful and good, or it is evil, malicious,
and cowardly.[…] Refusing to be disillusioned is the cause of much of the
suffering of human life. And this is how that suffering happens— if we love
someone, but do not love God, we demand total perfection and righteousness from
that person, and when we do not get it we become cruel and vindictive; yet we
are demanding of a human being something which he or she cannot possibly give.
There is only one Being who can completely satisfy to the absolute depth of the
hurting human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. […] Our Lord trusted no
one, and never placed His faith in people, yet He was never suspicious or
bitter. Our Lord’s confidence in God, and in what God’s grace could do for
anyone, was so perfect that He never despaired, never giving up hope for any
person. If our trust is placed in human beings, we will end up despairing of
everyone.” CHAMBERS
We don’t really expect non-Christians to be perfect. But we do have that expectation for
Christians, well, except maybe one, ourselves.
How can we accept imperfection .. let’s call it sin … in a Christian? Shouldn’t we demand that they be like
Jesus? That they not do things that are
contrary to the Word of God? Isn’t it OK that we treat them with contempt? Especially if the offense is against us? Isn’t that what they deserve? Read these
verses about how we should treat one
another …..
(Romans 12:10) “Be kindly
affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”
(Romans 14:13) “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore,
but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our
brother's way.”
(Romans 15:7) “Therefore receive
one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”
(Ephesians 4:2) “with all lowliness
and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love,”
(Ephesians 4:31-32) “Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with
all malice. And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God in Christ forgave you.”
(Colossians 3:12-13) “Therefore, as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility,
meekness, long-suffering; bearing with
one another, and forgiving one
another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave
you, so you also must do.”
(Hebrews 10:24) “And let us consider one another in order to stir up
love and good works,”
That doesn’t leave much room for bitter attitudes does it? For judging and condemning. OK .. here are the capstone verses that all
of these verses flow from …
(Matthew 22:37-40) “Jesus
said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL
YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' On these
two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Doesn’t leave a lot of room for debate does it. Do you see that when I judge and condemn others
I sin? Think about it. ELGIN
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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