A Challenge to All Fellow Believers

Remember next time you are tempted to look sideways at a brother or sister for an action of theirs that you are only a step away yourself from "falling off of the curb" (or mis-stepping, trespassing, SINNING). Put yourself in their shoes for a minute in your mind and ponder not only how you would feel but also if you would be in need of a friend. Would your heart not be even more deeply burdened by the gawking and slander of seemingly perfect people? And at what point was it that you yourself reached perfection? We are told in the fourth chapter of the book of James to not speak evil against one another or to judge (v. 11), and that there is only one lawgiver and judge and he is able to save and destroy (v. 12) - what can you do for that person? You can do what Christ would!

Would Christ turn his head the other way when that person comes walking across their path because he is worried he might say something wrong as a result of his own harsh opinion? He would put his loving arm around that person's shoulder and gently guide him back in the direction he needs to go and will speak the sweet words, "You are forgiven."

That is exactly how we need to be - full of grace and forgiveness, and willing to help one another get back to where we need to be.

(Disclaimer: This post is not being written because I have a specific example in mind of when this was done. I am not writing this to any one or group of individuals and it does also apply to myself. It is just simply something that I came to realize tonight and I hope it is taken well. Sometimes words of truth are not what we want to hear and can be perceived as harsh. I am not saying this to judge those who are doing the judging either, but rather to encourage them to look at the picture a little differently. I also do realize that not everyone is approachable and willing to accept the help of others, but we can still show grace without speaking!)