Let the God Mentality Lead You
We are quick to judge others when they say or do something wrong in our eyes or according to the Word of God, the Bible.
Indeed, we are quick to see the splinter in another’s eye, when we have a log in our own. We do this as individuals, as a group of Christians and as churches.
The Bible is very clear that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. In fact, Jesus said in John 8.7 to the teachers and Pharisees who wanted to condemn the woman caught in adultery, “Ye without sin, cast the first stone.” All the people walked away leaving only Jesus and the woman.
Notice none of them cast a stone because they knew they were all sinners. Furthermore, neither did Jesus condemn her. He simply said, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
If you have ever read much of the New Testament, you know that Jesus is very much a forgiver. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows that I am a sinner and that you are a sinner. He knows that all of us are sinners. He is willing to forgive anyone who seeks forgiveness and seeks to genuinely live a better life.
In Ezekiel, we read about the task of this particular prophet. He is to warn the wicked of their sin. If he warns the people of God and they don’t listen, they die. If Ezekiel doesn’t warn God’s people, he dies.
I don’t think we are all prophets, but I do think this lesson applies to us.
As Christians, I think we are all responsible for warning others, so that they and we might all be saved. I am equally confident that we are to embrace others, love others and forgive others when they sin or make a mistake and honestly acknowledge it and seek forgiveness. Otherwise, all we are doing as individuals or as a group is pushing others further away from God.
Furthermore, don’t think for a minute that God is going to overlook this behavior. The Shepherd will hold us accountable for alienating a believer and not allowing him or her to become a part of the flock or to return to the flock.
Life is complicated. Sometimes we say and do the right thing; sometimes we don’t. I’m simply thankful for a God who loves me and forgives me when I make a wrong choice of words or actions, even if others are not willing to do the same as God has done for me.
My goal is to please God, not people. If God can love me and forgive me, who cares what someone else thinks of me and is unwilling to do.
We live in a time where “stone-throwing” seems rampant. We are so consumed by what others are saying and doing “incorrectly” that we fail to see what we are saying and doing incorrectly, too.
Don’t let the Washington-mentality lead you; let the God-mentality lead you