So, I learned a lot these last few days.
First off let me say that I claimed 2010 as the year of knowledge for me : getting and applying.
With that being said, I’ve learned that I (once) judged people (yep, im claimin that i no longer do it). I'm being transparent with you guys. Now I don’t believe it was open slander of people or anything like that but with telling people not to think or say or do some things, I feel like I was telling them what to do, such like I had a heaven or hell to put them in (when I know I don’t). with that being revealed to me, I now see and feel like I have been judged, and it does the very thing that we should not want to happen : push people away.
I'm going to tell you a story. (no names will be revealed and I will make it very vague so that it could be anybody that I know). Within a group of friends, people I consider to be somewhat close with, a fellow believer in Christ has fallen (as we all do)(but he is back on the path). Now, from my understanding, they have received false information on what Christian couples are allowed to do, but since no one directly involved as spoken against or confirmed this, I will not go on in that direction.
This Christian friend of mine has created a life and now, that life is here. Someone I am close with thought that it was the most terrible thing in the world and says that they now see our friend in a different way. My friend says that the friend should have known better and it was unacceptable for them to do such.
Now, this, to me, points to something my mother has always told me, since I was little. “don’t put people on pedestals.” As you get older in the faith, yes, I believe that you should be able to grasp and understand more and more of what God has set forth in His word. However, we should never come to a point where we look at someone and say that they aren’t allowed to make fault because they “know God too well.” “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)” . this is very true. Our goal is to live a life that is pleasing to God, but all too often we sin (which means to ‘miss the mark’). The bible also says that we should not continue in sin knowingly just because we have been given grace. No its not okay to continue to do something knowing that it offends God, knowing that it is a sin, knowing where sin ultimately leads us (that’s hell if you didn't know). (but I digress).
Anyway, I was just in awe (maybe this was me judging) when my friend had said that she just couldn’t believe it and that he should know better and she doesn’t see him the same way. I don’t want to say that since sin is ever present in the world and life that I have become immune to it and it doesn’t affect me (on the contrary), but sin does not shock me.
We should not look at our pastors, bible study teachers, Sunday school teachers, worship team, minister of music, etc. as perfect people without flaws. This is where I believe a lot of people can become hurt by the church. We have come to this conclusion that if you are in the church and you serve and love God that you dont have problems and struggles (and I don’t mean just financially). One thing my pastor constantly says (just one of the reasons that I love him) is that he is not perfect and he solicits our prayers. (random tidbit, but I digress).
Also, we need to study the scriptures for ourselves, we need not take what people say for face value.
So, yeah, don’t say stuff about people, like, judging, talking about people, thinking people CANT mess up, WONT mess up, because everyone can and (unfortunately) will mess up. If we are walking Christ like, we need to have patience and show grace to people and treat people the way we want to be treated. And we need to remember that we are not these perfect people either. God is super patient with us and our mess ups, why can’t we be the same way towards our friends, family and even foes and our family in Christ? So, don’t judge, it turns people away which is not effective if we are trying to minister with our words and most importantly our lives. And don’t put the people in positions on pedestals. No one is perfect except God, so lets not put that on ourselves or others.
Comment, like, do whatever. Keep it respectful.
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