So don’t magnify your problem. Your problem is nothing compared to your God.
John 15:12
“Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I’m commanding you to do.” (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Our primary goal as Christian in not to judge others, but to love them. Jesus commanded us to love one another, not judge one another. As we submit ourselves to God and He begins to transform us into the image of Christ, we will see great improvement in our lives. This is a good thing. However, there is one danger that we must be aware of as we improve—hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy is defined as pretending to be what one is not or professing belief in something that one does not do. As we experience improvement in a particular area, there is a tendency to look at other people who are still struggling that area and think, “I can’t believe they call themselves Christians and they are still doing that!”
We forget we used to do the same things and maybe even worse. We walk around thinking we are better than other people or judging other people because we are strong in that area. Conveniently, we forget all those other areas in our lives still needing improvement. Instead we judge our neighbors—the ones we are called to love.
Proverbs 11:9
“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” (King James Version)
Remember, God is doing a work in every Christian based on His own plan and His own timing. When we judge people and build cases against them based on what we perceive their faults to be, it’s like criticizing God’s work. It’s like watching God clean someone and saying, “Hey God! You missed a spot!” when He has told us repeatedly to be quiet until He is finished. Imagine how irritating it must be for God to hear Christians complain, criticize and condemn other believers and the work He is doing in them.
Let’s do each other and God a favor and dismiss all those cases and offenses we have built up against one another. As we grow in the knowledge of God and in our relationship with Him, we (the just) shall be delivered from our shortcomings through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Life Key: Dismiss offense.
