Hi there,
Recently I belched wrath on someone who was adding to my frustrated day. Needless to say, the person returned the favor! At that point I grumbles to myself, ‘But I’ve been frustrated and this person has ignored that and is adding to it.’ The Still Small Voice quickly asked, ‘ You ever stopped to consider that person might have been frustrated too and you didn’t stop to recognize that?’
Silence
May I encourage a sip of something cool to accompany today’s Holy Nougat
“And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:”. Luke 6:37 ASV
It is sooooooooo easy. Sometimes it seems that we judge to deflect attention from our own insecurities. But it remains wrong. (Unless that’s our profession).
Maybe we are supposed to ask why and determine a compassionate approach , especially for our non-negotiables. Or perhaps it’s about offering our ‘concerns’ to the Lord, so it’s addressed by the relevant authority – that is, God.
And about the condemnation bit … hmm two things: If that comdemnation was directed usward, whether deserved or not, would it be comfortable? Probably not. Moreover, condemning usually means we’ve written off the individual. And you know what the old proverb says right – ‘Wha no dead, no dash whe’ (rough interpretation; don’t condemn to finality when there is still life). For God will still honor a last minute confession of sin from the vilest of horrid persons, while our condemnatory approach could be a stumbling block for ministry and to eternity.
New normal – try to bless the annoying offensive ones until Christ makes it real for us.
In Christ’s love & grace
