July 21, 2023

 

We Are All Pharisees

 

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.’

– Luke 18:11

 

How many times have we read the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector and condemned the Pharisee for thinking his sins weren’t as bad as the tax collector’s sins? How many times have we been the Pharisee by justifying our own sins while soundly condemning the sins of others?

 

Ouch. Most of us live pretty good lives, at least according to ourselves. We try to be good people. We don’t go around shooting people or robbing others or blatantly telling lies. We help those we think need it. We pray sometimes. We may even read the Bible. But we still don’t get it.

 

I’m struggling now to show grace and mercy to someone who is committing adultery. I see the heartbreak he has inflicted on his wife and children. It drags on and on as he tries to discover what will make him “happy.” I honestly would like to throttle him. I suspect God would like to throttle me sometimes too.

 

No. I haven’t committed adultery. But I have judged the sins of another. I have condemned what is not mine to condemn. I have failed to show love and grace, mercy even, as I have held onto my anger. My sins are great.

 

The hard truth is that we are all Pharisees. Pastor Adam Hamilton described himself as a recovering Pharisee who sometimes falls off the wagon. That is true of all of us. We are quick to point fingers, gossip, and condemn the sins of someone else all the while justifying our own sins.

 

I am not excusing his actions. But I also refuse to excuse my own. I pray that God will open both of our hearts so that we may be healed. That’s where he’ll find “happy.” That’s where I will find it too.

February 5, 2023

 

Stop Judging

 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:1-5

 

It seemed like something no one could quibble with. The phrase was simple: Jesus didn’t have to agree with people to be kind to them. Who could argue? Indeed.

 

The comment came: He was good to everyone but He did not except (sp) their sins. And that, my friends, is the problem. Not that other people sin but that we are so focused on their sin that we miss our own.

 

Don’t worry. I didn’t get into it with her. I simply reminded her of what Jesus also said about not judging people and let Scripture make its point. She didn’t reply. There really wasn’t anything else to say.

 

I look around at all the people pulling away from church. I see people doubting Jesus. And, honestly, I understand why. If the only way they know Jesus is through some of His followers, well, it’s a sad thing. Not because we’re imperfect. Everyone has flaws and sins and makes numerous mistakes every single day. It’s that we don’t own our own issues while we loudly proclaim the sins of others.

 

I’ve read the Bible through several times in a number of different translations. No where in the Bible does it give us permission to judge others. If someone strays, we’re to lovingly guide them back. That’s far different than sitting on our self-made throne and throwing daggers at someone God loves just as much as He loves us.

 

Let’s remember that Jesus didn’t choose His disciples from the religious elite. He didn’t call on those who had all the answers. He found His disciples among normal people and outcasts who had hearts open to receive the Messiah. And even they got it wrong time and time again.

 

When you find yourself looking around and looking down on those you see, take a step back. Hit your knees. Ask God for forgiveness. And ask Him to help you remove the plank from your own eye so that you can more clearly see how to love others like He loves you.

 

 

January 24, 2023

 

Beware of Your Words

 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

 

She sat in the very back, watching it all. When the pastor began praying, she began talking about how awful he is and listing all that he had done to harm her church. She is furious at him for what she believes he hasn’t done. She doesn’t see the need to look in the mirror.

 

A few years back she needed, and received, grace. She was fired from her job because of harsh words that deeply hurt a child. Her church, the very one she attends, extended grace and helped her heal. This church even offered her a job that led to her restoration in her chosen field.

 

And now she sat back and condemned a man for doing his best in an awful situation. She rarely lifts a finger to do anything but judge. She’s blaming someone else for all that she sees wrong. She believes, as do others, that a new pastor will fix everything. It won’t because the problem isn’t the pastor. The problem is her and all the others who expect more from one person than he can possibly give. The problem is that we all have forgotten about serving others.

 

We are so quick to judge, aren’t we? We tell ourselves we’re entitled to our opinion and we are. But the Bible reminds us repeatedly to watch our words. The tongue can do so much harm, especially when the devil is in our hard hearts.

 

Our church is discussing disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. One reason is that many have formed a wall against a pastor doing his best. Is he perfect? Absolutely not. None of us are. We forget that sometimes. We also sometimes forget that we are called to serve with our hands and feet and not just with our checkbooks. We are called to love. And we are warned not to judge.

 

I don’t know what will happen to our church. Only God knows. I’ve no doubt, though, that the Holy Spirit is grieved by all the anger and hatred permeating throughout the hearts of His people.

July 2, 2022

 

What Do You See?

 

Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. – Habakkuk 1:3b

 

Murder happens throughout our land. Violence and sin are everywhere. We demand justice from God. We plead with Him to change our nation and turn us back to simpler times when life was easier and filled with rules we could understand.

 

We point fingers and demand justice. We look down and condemn what makes us uncomfortable. We are certain that we are right and we brandish the Bible as a weapon to those who are different. We harshly judge even as we build our lives, our palaces if you will, on sand.

 

We know about the plank and the speck (Matthew 7:3-5). But we don’t really think it applies to us. We are so certain that we are right that we fail the most basic test of love.

 

A sweet woman I know lives in public housing and struggles daily to provide for her daughter. It would be easy to condemn her. From the outside, anyway. I know many people who would judge and call her names. You’ve heard it all. Lazy. Bad choices. It’s her own fault. I could go on. But none of it would be true. She’s a college-educated woman who works two jobs to provide for them. She is an inspiration to all who know her.

 

The hard truth isn’t so pretty. Most of you wouldn’t bother to get to know her. She’s poor. She’s doesn’t move in your circles. She may sit next to you on your pew. She may sing in the choir. But she doesn’t fit your version of success. She doesn’t have the trappings of a large house, nice cars and expensive vacations. You may not say it out loud but you look down on her. And in so doing you elevate yourselves. Shame on you! Shame on all of us!

 

Habakkuk first questioned God about how He could ignore such sin from His people. Then Habakkuk worried that the punishment would be too horrific. But God made it clear that sin won’t go unpunished forever. God is patient and merciful but He sees it all. God sees when you cheat someone in business. God sees when your heart becomes haughty and you fail to be generous and merciful.

 

We look around at the state of our nation and quickly point fingers at everyone else. We judge what we do not know based on circumstances we’ve never endured. And we justify ourselves because everyone else does it. But we’re not supposed to be like everyone else. We’re supposed to do better because of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us.

 

Do you truly love Jesus? Then show mercy and kindness. Extend a helping hand. Hang out with people who aren’t like you. Be Jesus in this dark and hurting world.

July 7, 2018

Who Are You?

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly – mere infants in Christ.… You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

– 1 Corinthians 3:1, 3

Are you a Democrat or a Republican? Maybe you’re an Independent? With what brush do you label yourself? And with what brush do you label others?

In Alabama, we have long judged people on the basis of their college choice. Alabama or Auburn? It is a sometimes ugly feud that dates back long before I can remember. College football reigns.

Increasingly, I’ve seen the same thing in our political views. It’s way beyond our state’s borders and appears to permeate our nation’s core. We judge people based on the box they check rather than the whole of their person.

I’m really not sure how it happened. Somehow, we began to believe that Republicans were Christians and Democrats were heathens. And we behave accordingly. We used our broad brush to condemn and antagonize those who should have been our comrades.

It’s as though the Republican party chose two issues and loudly proclaimed that anyone who didn’t agree with their ideology was not a true Christian. And all the Christians just lined up in mob form and proclaimed the same.

On the other side, the Democrats chose other issues and loudly proclaimed that anyone who didn’t support compassion and a helping hand was not a true Christian. And all those Christians lined up in mob form and proclaimed the same.

The truth is that where we stand on political issues has nothing to do with our salvation. Jesus told us clearly that He is the only way. Belief in our Risen Christ is all we need to be saved. It’s not about works or political opinions. Don’t forget that.

Beyond that, neither party has it all right or all wrong. But we’re so busy pointing fingers and spreading hate and discord that we can’t see the work of Satan in our midst. He is dividing God’s people and we are allowing it. We are so focused on being “right” that we’re missing God’s message of love.

Sure, there are serious issues before us now. But we can be kind as we debate those issues. We can understand that Christians don’t always get it right. And we can acknowledge that sometimes we’re the ones who don’t get it right. Ouch.

Paul was admonishing the Corinthians for their infighting. They were taking sides. Who supported Paul? Who supported Apollos? What difference did it make? Paul reminded them that it was really all about Jesus. We need that reminder today.

The church in Corinth eventually ceased to exist. Did the Christians destroy themselves? Aren’t we doing the same thing?

Peter tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. If we focused on our part, if we loved without reserve, how much better our world would be. If we stopped trying to be right, how much stronger our faith would be. If we ceased to paint people with a broad brush, labeling them based on politics rather than heart, how much more like Jesus we would be.

June 27, 2018

Let It Go

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18

A few weeks ago, former President Bill Clinton and author James Patterson made the media rounds as they promoted a book they’d written together. Guess what all the reporters wanted to talk about? That’s right. Monica Lewinsky and the scandal.

That scandal happened in the late 1990s. Clinton has apologized repeatedly. I watched one reporter demand answers again and again, refusing to let it go. It wasn’t until Patterson intervened that the reporter moved on. The reporter shamed himself, not Clinton.

Clinton can never undo the wrong that he did. He can apologize and seek to lead a different life. He’s done both. So, what is it about us that refuses to let it go? And why are so many Christians still throwing it in his face all these many years later?

You’re probably ready to cite all of Clinton’s sins. You feel the need to remind me of the extramarital sexual encounters, the lies, the age difference. You “know” that I just don’t understand the magnitude of what he did.

What you don’t understand is the magnitude of what you’ve done. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. How would you like it if your past sins, those you have apologized for, kept being thrown in your face? How would you feel if your attempts to change your life were met with constant reminders of where you’d once been?

We are such a vengeful people. We are so judgmental and full of righteous anger. We hold grudges and slam those who fail to meet our standards. We hang on to wrongs long after they should have been cast aside.

And we do it selectively. Why is it that a sin by one person is roundly and publicly condemned while the same sin by another person is quietly forgiven and excused away? Does no one else see the double-standard?

And why do we hold others up to a perfect standard no one can ever achieve, while letting ourselves slide because we see our sins as somehow “lesser” than those of others?

Did Clinton lie? Absolutely. Have you ever told a lie? Be careful you don’t tell another one as you answer. If you’ve ever told someone a dress looked good on them when it didn’t, you lied. If you’ve ever made up an excuse to not do something because “you didn’t want to hurt their feelings,” you lied.

Have you ever broken the law? Sure, you have. Every time you drive even one mile over the speed limit you have broken the law. It’s not about degrees of sin no matter how we want to insist that it is. Sin is sin.

Sure, some sins have consequences that will forever haunt us. Clinton’s sins obviously fit that category. But as people of faith, who are we to judge him? Jesus clearly stated that those who judge will, in turn, be judged with the same measure. Do you really want to be judged the way you judge Clinton and others? Are you really ready to stand before Almighty God and explain yourself to Him?

Let it go. Trust God to work in that person’s heart. Be gracious. Show mercy. Accept apologies and changed behavior as the blessing it is. And, above all else, see people through the eyes of Jesus. Love them in such a way that makes them want to become the people God created them to be.

March 23, 2018

Focus On What’s Important

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. – Titus 3:9

I wasn’t raised in the church. I have few memories of the days when we attended a little country church. By the time I was in school, we’d stopped going to church at all. I was in college before I found my way back.

It happens. I’m grateful that while I lost God for a while, He never lost me. But here’s the thing: I never learned all those little songs that teach children the books of the Bible – in order. I learned the Ten Commandments, Psalm 100 and Psalm 23 in school.

It placed me at a disadvantage, though I didn’t know that until I attended a church not too far from where I grew up. I found other women looking down at me because I didn’t “know” all they knew. I learned to keep my mouth shut. Not that it mattered. Because nothing I said would be taken seriously. After all, I was surrounded by people who had attended church all their lives. They had all the answers. Or so they thought.

God had a different lesson for me. As I grew stronger in my life, as I read and studied, both in Bible studies and alone, I came to know more and more. I will never know all I seek to know. My heart is hungry for Him. I hope it always will be.

But what I found is that while I moved forward in faith, the other ladies were simply content to rest in the knowledge they’d gained as children. There were a few who sometimes attended Bible studies. Most had the attitude that they were “retired” and had no need for such things.

I began noticing how they lived. God pointed out that sometimes “prayer requests” were just a sanctioned way to gossip. Did we really need to know all the details? No. The joke was that if you wanted to know what was going on in the community, just go to church. Except that truth was so sad.

I also noticed the upturned noses when someone showed up that wasn’t “appropriately” dressed. They frowned on jeans, for example. There seemed to be no gratitude that two long rows were filled with teenagers. Weren’t they happy about that?

They were always quick to complain. The politics of the church were almost comical. They’ve been through a lot of pastors because not one of them was ever perfect enough to suit their needs. They can be mean to outsiders, refusing to help anyone in the community who isn’t one of their own.

I don’t mean to pick on this church. There are way too many just like them. Some of the members lament society and how far our standards have fallen. They’d never consider themselves to be part of the problem.

We get so caught up with things that aren’t important that we miss what’s right in front of us. Do you love Jesus? Do you accept Him as Lord and Savior? Are you trying to live right and do good to others, whether you like them or not? Do you extend a helping hand, a kind word, maybe a meal, along with a dose of grace and mercy?

The world has way too many judges and not enough workers in the kingdom of God. Cleanse your own heart and trust God to take care of the rest.

March 2, 2018

Are You Listening?

But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. – Ezekiel 3:7

And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.” – Ezekiel 3:11

Are you listening to God? Or are you so focused on what you believe that you miss what God actually says?

The other day I shared a quote about how harsh judgements push people away from God while the light of God reflected in us draws people near. I was amazed, though not surprised, by how many people didn’t “like” the comment. Why? Because it spoke directly to what they do and say.

I am always appalled at the hatred and pure meanness that comes from the mouths and actions of people who claim faith in Jesus. I wonder if they have ever read the Bible. Do they really see and hear how Jesus dealt with people? Can’t they understand how He loved people first, then showed them a better way?

But their hearts have been hardened against the truth of the gospel. They are so busy judging that they miss the love they’re supposed to show. It doesn’t mean excusing sin. It means drawing people toward Jesus rather than pushing them away.

It’s not about Jesus. I know that even if they don’t. They’re too focused on being “right” to actually see and hear the way Jesus sees and hears us. We have failed to become like Paul, so filled with gratitude for what Jesus has done for us that we will do whatever we can to serve Jesus and spread His gospel to the lost and broken.

The Israelites didn’t want to hear Ezekiel either. This prophet, who was exiled to Babylon, spoke God’s truth but it fell on silent ears. We’re much the same. We prefer to surround ourselves with like-minded people rather than fill our hearts with His Word. We call ourselves justified. I call it being a modern-day Pharisee.

Now those are the ones who will definitely bring out the anger in Jesus. No matter how loving and kind Jesus was to the people who flocked to Him, Jesus was furious with the rule-makers who held themselves above everyone else. Attending church, wearing the right clothes and giving the right amount of tithe, doesn’t cleanse your soul from pride. Looking down on the masses, the liberals, those who are poor, doesn’t justify your condemnation of those you view as “lesser” than yourself.

God still speaks loudly to all of us if we will only listen. But our hearts are too hard and our eyes too blind to see the truth of His message. Our nation is falling away from His truth and the ones leading the way are those most loudly proclaiming Him as Lord. He is Lord – but not of their hearts.

What are you missing in His message today? What untruth do you believe because the conservative masses tell you it’s so? What are you doing to promote healing, to shine His light on this dark world? If you aren’t reaching out in kindness to those you consider to be the least, then you aren’t listening to anything He’s saying.

February 13, 2018

Focus On Fixing Yourselves

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank our of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:3-5

It was comical really. As we waited for a couple to cross the parking lot, he criticized the man for allowing the woman to carry a large, bulky box. “He should be ashamed,” he said with a shake of his head.

I looked to see if he was joking. He wasn’t. I laughed. “I can’t believe you just said that,” I told him.

He started to protest but it was my turn to shake my head. “If that were you and I, the situation would be exactly the same. Your back wouldn’t allow you to carry the box so it would be me toting it and you walking empty-handed beside me.”

“You’re right,” he admitted.

“We don’t know their situation. Maybe he is just lazy. Maybe she is determined to do it herself. Or maybe there’s something we can’t see at play here.”

We are just so quick to judge, aren’t we? We assume we know all the facts without really trying to learn anything about the situation. Not that it’s any of our business anyway. But that’s a different topic for another day.

It really is easy to tell other people how to live their life. It’s quite fun, actually, to focus on the “flaws” of those around us. It’s much easier to do that than to look at the person in the mirror and fix our own flaws first.

Please don’t excuse it with “At least my sins aren’t like that,” or “Well, you don’t know what he did.” It doesn’t matter. Sin isn’t about comparison. It’s not about whose sin is “greater”. We all sin and all sin condemns us to death. Except for the grace of Jesus.

I am so thankful that Jesus doesn’t look down and sort us according to our sins. I’m so grateful for His mercy and kindness. I’m filled with gratitude for the many chances He gives me each day to get it right this time.

We marvel at His grace in our own lives even as we condemn the lives of others. We fail to extend the same grace to others and we call ourselves justified in our actions.

Does it make us feel better about our own sin? We make our excuses. We defend our flaws and mistakes. We point bitter fingers at others even as we pray in Jesus’ name. We stamp ourselves with the label “hypocrite” even as we cry out to God for forgiveness.

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if we extended the same grace to others that Jesus has extended to us. Would we all be less angry, less hateful? Would we learn to get along better, seeing others as God’s children rather than as the enemy?

Perhaps we all need to take stock of the person in the mirror. Maybe we need to look for the good in others rather than focusing on the “flaws” we see. We are all in this together, doing life as best we can and failing Jesus every single day.

January 26, 2018

Cloak Comments With Grace, Mercy

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9

Immigration is an issue. Always. The children of those who came to the United States illegally has become a push point for many. We live in a land where skin color continues to be an issue. We want to “choose” who can come based on their country of origin rather than who they are as individuals.

Welfare is another major point of disagreement. Misinformation is everywhere. Illegals get thousands while seniors get so little. Seriously? It’s just so much easier to believe lies than to look for the truth.

That misinformation fuels hate. We have left compassion and kindness and love behind. And we do it all while holding high the banner of Jesus. Does anyone else see the absurdity of it all?

Jesus was filled with compassion and mercy. He gave grace to all. No. He didn’t condone sin. In fact, He said to go and sin no more. But He did extend forgiveness. We’ve forgotten that.

We deserve better, we tell ourselves. They did wrong, we remind them again and again. We behave as though all the money and all the land in this country actually belongs to us. It doesn’t. Everything comes from God. Where is He in all this?

Years ago I lived in a state with a wonderful program for job skill training for people receiving welfare. It was awesome. The problem was people, especially women, weren’t moving forward and keeping those jobs. It caused quite an outcry.

At least it did until someone wisely investigated the situation. They found that when the job training ended and the job began, childcare benefits ended. No one at a minimum wage job can afford housing, food, medical care and day care.

Of course, the outcry rose that “they shouldn’t have had those children if they can’t take care of them!” Who can argue with that? But the reality is that the children existed and needed care. So the state extended benefits at a graduated level. As the pay level rose, the benefits decreased until the worker was fully self-supporting. It was a win-win for everyone.

I don’t have answers to this current debate. I don’t think anyone really does. But if you want to use Jesus’ name in all this, be sure to cloak your comments with grace and mercy not greed and judgement. Every time you use His name to condemn the poor or the outcast, you are condemning yourself. Think about that for a while.