What About Them?

What About Them?

James 4: ¹¹ Do not criticize one another, my friends. If you criticize or judge another Christian, you criticize and judge the Law. If you judge the Law, then you are no longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it. ¹² God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can save and destroy. Who do you think you are, to judge someone else?

 

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Speeding along in a friend’s car, it felt great to be behind the wheel of something that could really go fast! We were racing each other on the road when suddenly we cam upon several cops who were waiting for us. We were all pulled over. When one of the cops came to my car, I said in my defense, “What about them?” referring to the other speeders who were not pulled over. The reply, “But I caught you.”

 

• I was trying to use comparison as my defense.
• I thought I could use “judging someone else” to defend my breaking the law.
• I also thought I could do what I wanted to do.

 

James addressed judging other Christians. He specifically spoke to this group, probably due to them gathering together in small groups after being scattered by those who persecuted them. They may have begun to judge one another.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to look at myself instead of pointing out what other people are doing.
• GOD wants me to realize I have flaws that I need repaired by HIM.
• GOD wants me to let go of trying to change people who are not willing to change themselves.

 

Being critical of other people can be a defense mechanism for my own shortcomings. I mean, when I look at someone else and talk about him or her negatively, I am taking the lens off of me. BUT GOD sees my shortcomings clearly and wants me to see them too.

 

HE wants me to back off of looking at someone else and to ask HIM for forgiveness for my clear and blatant sins. HE is willing to forgive me and wants me to grow up to do the same. I am glad HE is the ultimate forgiver.

 

Challenge

• Why is the writer’s warning important?
• Have you ever been critical of someone and been guilty yourself?
• Will you take some time away from being critical and spend it asking GOD to continue to grow you in areas HE would like to grow you today?

Gentle Correction

Gentle Correction

2 Timothy 2: ²² Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. ²³ But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. ²⁴ As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, ²⁵ who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. ²⁶ And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

 

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Being insecure and tired of being pushed around was a bad combination for me. On one hand, I had run into my share of bullies on the other, I ran into my share of mean people who called me names. I decided to fight back against aggressive and passive aggressive bullies.

 

• I armed myself with physical strength to fight overt bullies.
• I listened to passive aggressive jabs and was ready for a retort against covert bullies.
• I was always ready to “defend” “my” territory, “my” reputation and “my” actions.

 

Paul warns Timothy not to quarrel. He knew that fighting would get Timothy nowhere. He appeals to him as “the LORD’s servant” to be a kind, good and patient teacher who gently corrects. He then gives the reason. Because GOD may have them repent.

 

My Observations

• I did not trust GOD to handle my battles, BUT HE wants to.
• I did not believe that GOD cared about me enough to work out my quarrels, BUT HE wants me to be different.
• I thought I needed to correct everyone so he or she could see the LORD, but I was wrong, it takes gentleness and GOD’s leading to bring people to HIM.

 

Impatience mixed with correction wins a battle and loses the war. I mean, I have lost my cool with my family, friends and neighbors and could not mention JESUS to them. This is a tragic loss. BUT GOD says to me, “There is another way.”

 

HE wants me to try something different. Instead of winning the battle, HE wants me to focus on the war, namely having each member of my family truly believe in JESUS and HIM equipping each to proclaim HIM in a glorifying way. I have to be secure in my relationship with JESUS to allow opposition to HIS ways and be patient and gentle so HE can win them over. I will gladly learn gentleness in exchange for the souls of people I encounter.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about being “combative?”
• Have you ever been right and could not wait to win “this” fight?
• Will you stop quarrelling and let GOD move that person towards HIM by your gentle, patient corrections, knowing HE could save him or her from the “Devil’s trap” in HIS time?

Something to Strive For

 

Something to Strive For

1 Timothy 6: ¹¹ But you, man of God, avoid all these things. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses. 

 

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Not fitting got old. I wanted to try what ”everyone else” was doing. I tried dating a lot, seeking the best grades, wealth and pleasure. All of these came up empty. I wanted to be noticed, so I made stuff up to look more exciting.  “Why can’t I be like ‘that’ person? I said with jealousy!.

 

• I wanted to be someone else.
• I got tired of being measured and coming up as average or worse.
• I considered how people became successful and I wanted to do “anything” to do so, even if it meant being immoral.

 

Paul gives Timothy another word of encouragement. He provides Timothy with a list of great behaviors that model what JESUS stands for. He urges Timothy to keep going with his faith because he professed it publicly and people would expect him to follow GOD without wavering.

 

My Observations

• I may not have it all together, but GOD gives me something to strive for.
• I may not be perfect, BUT GOD shows me what I can try to become.
• I may want to give up, or fall down, BUT GOD gives me a foundation to always come back to.

 

Sin stinks! I mean, because of my sin nature, I may think less of GOD and more of self. I may seek what I want, when I want it without regard to what GOD wants. BUT GOD understands.

 

HE picks me up and says “You can do this.” He showed me HIS righteousness, Godliness, faithfulness, love, everlasting endurance and premium gentleness. When I compare myself to HIM I think, “impossible.” BUT HE only says “strive” for it. Even when I get it wrong, HE is pleased because I am trying. I am glad GOD is pleased firmly with my attempts.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer stress striving for?
• Have you ever wanted something and worked hard to get it?
• Will you strive for a life that is pleasing to GOD by serving others and learning about HIM today?

Gentle

Gentle

1 Thessalonians 2: ⁵ You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk, nor did we use words to cover up greed—God is our witness! ⁶ We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, ⁷ even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you. But we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children.

 

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Hearing the lie, I crafted my words to counter what was said. When the person heard my words, he countered with insults. Now that I was insulted, I really had to give it to him. I countered with more words. What were we even talking about?

 

• I got mad during the conversation.
• I wanted to be “heard” so I kept using more words.
• I eventually used words that were rough and coarse.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy lived with the people of Thessalonica. During this time they encountered day to day circumstances that could have turned into arguments, but they chose not to. They also refrained from flattering words to cover up greed, like some of the speakers who had done so in the past.

 

My Observations

• Flattering talk can get me to a certain point, BUT GOD wants my words to speak of HIS truth.
• Seeking the right words, only to gain money, can get me wealthy in a greedy way, BUT GOD wants my words to be rich and full of HIS treasures.
• Following famous people and praising their prowess can get me liked so I can fit in, BUT GOD deserves to be mentioned over all.

 

“Toughen up” or “Take the hill” or “Fight” sound like words of a leader, but there are times when these qualities don’t fit. I mean, when a baby is crying and he or she cannot communicate what is wrong, it takes gentleness to figure out the solution to the baby’s problem.

 

Gentleness overcomes insecurity, greed and loneliness. How? It removes the desire to need to “fit in” and replaces it with GOD’s purpose. Gentleness knows people will make mistakes and reacts slowly with HIS solution. It makes no demands because gentleness is stronger than brute force. I am glad JESUS is gentle with me.

 

Challenge

• What alternative to flattering words, greed and praising humans do the writers speak of?
• Have you ever sought out praise or felt a little greedy or placed demands on others?
• Will you learn of GOD’s gentleness and mimic HIS love for other’s today?

Attitude Power

Attitude Power

Philippians 4: ⁵ Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. 

 

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After receiving instructions from the LORD to serve my neighbors, I was a bit confused, but did it anyway. Soon it became routine and something I looked forward to. But there was one neighbor who would let their dog out without supervision. The dog would inevitably “go” on my lawn. “Do I have to serve them too?” I wondered.

 

• There have been many people I wanted to “tell off.”
• There have been many circumstances where I was annoyed.
• There have been many situations that I could have been justified in reminding “that” person about the rules.

 

What a strange statement Paul says. It is just shoved in there but says a lot. “Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon.” Implies being caught in the act of gentleness when the LORD returns.

 

My Observations

• GOD handles me gently when HE could handle my sin with harsh discipline.
• JESUS was gentle with those who sought HIM for their needs.
• GOD wants me to be gentle because HE was gentle with me.

 

Gentleness is extremely powerful. I mean, it takes incredible restraint not to complain about “that” person or even judge him or her. GOD is all powerful and is justified with all HIS actions. HE has and could almost wipe out all of humanity, BUT HE shows us incredible restraint.

 

Instead HE gently nudges me back to HIM. HE is gracious enough to open my eyes to say “Is whatever I gain worth ‘that’ person losing their soul?” The answer is always “No.” I am glad GOD gives me the opportunity to show gentleness each day.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention the LORD’s return?
• When hearing the term ‘show gentleness”, do specific people come to mind that you feel do not deserve gentleness?
• How can you align to GOD’s will which includes salvation for all, even those you may not like?
• Will you gain the power the HOLY SPIRIT wants you to have by being gentle to “that” person or “those” people today?

Good Fruit

Good Fruit

Galatians 5: ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

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Continuing on my thought of going to college, bearing the fruit of human nature and getting kicked out, I felt lost, let down and angry. I started thinking of excuses like “Nice guys finish last” and “They are simply trying to control people into being slaves.” I began searching for racial freedom and other forms of freedom, but I remained thirsty. Tired of “my” efforts I asked “What do YOU want from me?”

 

• I was losing hope but ready to hear GOD.
• I was always angry or frustrated but was now ready to surrender to GOD.
• I felt like people were letting “me” down but realized “I” could be part of the solution with GOD.

 

“But the fruit of the SPIRIT” are words that provide hope to everyone Paul wrote to. It takes pressure off of trying to be perfect by performing the Law correctly. One singular fruit is produced by nine wonderful actions.

 

My Observations

• Good fruit gives me rest assurance that GOD loves me dearly.
• The HOLY SPIRIT is responsible for guiding me to bear good fruit.
• I can rest well when I put aside my human nature and follow what the HOLY SPIRIT says.

 

Keeping “in step with the SPIRIT” is hard but doable. I mean, when I want things to go “my” way I usually want to speed the process up. When it does not happen as quickly as I would like, I lose patience and bear bad fruit.

 

BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT steps in and says, “Use patience” when I want to go fast or “Use joy” when I want to be happy but things are going wrong. All nine actions bear a single fruit which draws people back to GOD. I am grateful GOD gave me an alternative to “my” actions.

 

Challenge

• What part of the fruit could you use today?
• Do you have a problem with this list if people showed these actions towards you?
• Will you slow down and show these actions towards others without thinking you will get something in return?

A Different King

Matthew 21: As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

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Political figures had me constantly watching the news. Searching for who would be right was my quest as I listened to their boisterous commentaries. The same was happening during the days when CHRIST walked the streets.

• JESUS looked like the worst political candidate.
• JESUS was never politically correct.
• JESUS set a standard that politicians bend and twist.

“If you want to be great you must be last” is what JESUS taught. Who wants to be last? I mean shouldn’t GOD just roar in and say in a Hollywood booming voice “This is my politician whom I am well pleased?” HE decided to slip in gently.

• JESUS came in with true power so HE did not make noise.
• JESUS rode in on what was considered a low animal to show true power.
• JESUS predicted the animals would be at that specific location which showed true power.

True power only comes from JESUS. HIS calm quietness was extremely misleading. Unfortunately the noisy politicians of today drown out the message of CHRIST. More conversations are about them than of the ONE who has true power. JESUS wants my time and my tongue.

• How much time do you spend talking about politicians?
• How Much time do you spend talking about JESUS?
• Can you look to the ONE who has true power today, namely JESUS?

Two People

Matthew 13: ²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

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Every day I have a choice of which person I will be. Person one in this passage sowed “good” seed and person two sowed “bad” seed or weeds. Each seed grew in the story.

• Some days I sow bad seed of fear, worry and doubt.
• Some days I sow bad seed of lust, slander and rage.
• Some days I sow bad seed of self-centeredness, self-promotion and self-righteousness.

There are many reasons I sow these seeds, none of which are good. BUT GOD wants me to prepare myself for something different.

• GOD wants me to prepare myself daily to sow “good” seeds.
• GOD wants me to seize every opportunity to plant something “good.”
• GOD wants me to seek out situations where I can say something “good.”

Complaints, slander and arguments weaken my “good” seed. In fact, every negative word I speak grows in weird ways I cannot imagine. GOD wants me to speak the “Good” seed about HIS SON especially when I feel like spreading bad seed.

• Which person will you be today?
• Will you choose to sow GOD’s “good” seeds or your own seeds which could contain weeds?
• Can you identify negative words and positive words that come from your mouth?

Please do not mistake my kindness for weakness

Colossians 3: ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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With their arms folded I knew I had no support from the other departments. Somehow my new found revelation of being kind and compassionate was mistaken for weakness. It seemed as though the other departments wanted me to be stark and curt rather than agreeable and cooperative. Maybe I should have gone back to being pushy!

• Being sneaky doesn’t make me a better businessman.
• Being cold and focused on the bottom line doesn’t make me a better leader.
• Being maleficent doesn’t make me closer to GOD but I may get my way and I have to deal with HIS consequences.

Human success was a driving force that seemed to take on a mind of its own. I mean at first I wanted to just do an excellent job, then I wanted to manage, then I wanted to get rid of dead weight, then I wanted to crush those who were in the way of my goals.

Before long I was in a place where people were nothing more than a statistic and those who couldn’t cut it should have been fired anyway. BUT GOD “cut me” from that world and I had to face what I had put others through. Talk about a revelation! “Who will help me?” I wondered in anguish.

• GOD taught me compassion by making me “empathize” with people I once had contempt for.
• GOD taught me kindness by having people treat me poorly the way I treated others.
• GOD taught me humility by stripping away my human titles I once endeared.
• GOD taught me gentleness by delivering people to me who were grieving yet contemptuous.
• GOD taught me patience by placing me in situations where I had to depend on others rather than having them respond to my title.

GOD says “forgive” and HE truly means it. HE wants me to forgive my enemies simply because HE forgave me. I still have the cold, tough dexterity BUT GOD wants me to purposefully show unity, peace and love as an act of strength, not weakness.

• Do you have someone who is against you?
• Do you feel they do not deserve compassion?
• Are you strong enough to show them kindness and gentleness?
• Won’t you forgive “that” person today?

Who is worthy of my presence?

Ephesians 4: ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

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My tolerance for nonsense started shrinking when I saw people pouting over who won an award in our department. On one side the lack of congratulations disgusted me and on the other the choice of a buddy to receive the award made me ill. “Just wait until I become the boss, I am going to fire all these people” I thought to myself.

• When I have rage I handle people harshly.
• When I want something my anxiety makes me impatient towards others.
• When I feel I know more than others I judge them and usually cause dissension.

I can usually tell when I am not acting like GOD wants me to. Major groups of people start falling off my radar and my circle shrinks more and more. After a while I am only touching who “I” consider worthy of my presence. Usually I can justify my actions because “they” are acting ugly and I am not, right? Wrong!

• GOD wants me to be completely humble and gentle towards people, even those who are harsh to me.
• GOD wants me to be patient with people especially those who I mistake for slow and weak.
• GOD wants me to bear with others in love in hopes that they will see the love GOD has for me.

There is one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and FATHER of all and HE wants me to act in unity with all HE sends to me. When I judge too harshly or use my blunt, crass approach I notice HE stops sending people my way.  Yes the Bible says correct people but it says do it “in love.”

I must put the person over the sin they are doing. In other words I have to make every effort to see “each” person as GOD sees them.

• Are you better than “those” people?
• Are “they” not following GOD like you are following HIM?
• Are you judging others by what they are doing?
• Have you examined yourself and judged yourself by your own measure?

How gentle can I get?

Hebrews 5: ² He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. ³ This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ⁴ And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

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• What if someone is wrong? Do I dance in their face and wield it over them?
• What if someone is not living right? Do I judge them and tell them their downfalls?
• What if someone is irritating? Do I brush them off and shut down on the relationship?

The quick answer to all of the above is NO! Why, because I am not infallible to making the same mistakes. One of the reasons GOD “appoints” or calls me to minister to others is not to point out flaws or issues “they” have, it is to show what issues and flaws “we” have.

All humans sin and require mercy and grace at some point. I’m sure I make mistakes daily and require grace quite often. I figure it like this, the more grace I can show others, the more grace GOD will show me… I actually know it doesn’t work that way since HE has already has shown me tremendous grace, the most one could give.

I still feel obligated to show grace and mercy just like HE did.

• Did someone treat you wrong?
• Can you be gentle with them?
• Can you show them “grace” and “mercy” today?

What do you mean I’m arguing?!

2 Timothy 2: ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

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During a meeting a coworker began to rant and sway everyone to “his” side so much so that he became disruptive. Applause broke out when I dismissed him from the meeting. Unfortunately the damage had been done. All day I found myself in little quarrels that seemed to be quite irritating.

On the way home I noticed everyone driving exceptionally stupid. “Why is that person driving so slow and why is that person coming into my lane?” When I arrived home I noticed a number of things that were not accomplished or out of place.   “What’s wrong with everyone today?” I thought to myself.

·         When I feel like arguing everyone can be wrong and only “I” am right.

·         When I feel like arguing logic diminishes and seeking to get “my” way grows.

·         When I feel like arguing even GOD can seem wrong to me.

There are times when I want my way and GOD has designed a way for me to get it. When I have an opponent I need to be gentle in my approach rather than seeking to get my way.  GOD wants me to handle arguments differently because HE wants to “win” people not arguments.

·         When someone opposes belief in CHRIST, GOD wants me to be gentle not argumentative.

·         When a statement escalates to an argument, GOD wants me to seek reconciliation not revenge.

·         When a person is flat out wrong, GOD wants me to love and let go rather than argue and aggravate.

I am a very driven person who likes to win arguments, BUT GOD wants me to draw people to HIM rather than repel. HE wants gentle words that contain truth in hopes that the opponent will “come to their senses” and learn the truth. Many times I’m the one who needs the repentance.

·         Do you feel like arguing to be “heard” or can you let GOD nudge them in HIS direction?

·         Can you let go of a few quarrels today and not be “right” for a change?

·         How many arguments can you “diffuse” instead of “ignite”?

I don’t like (insert race) and I don’t like (insert spouse’s name)!

Colossians 3:  ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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This morning I sat in front of the keyboard trembling, knowing the message was clear but it is just something that has to be said. Racism and hatred are alive and well and you and I are the blame and the cure. Not only has the country divided, but the world has developed chasms between other humans that seem to be impossible to span.

Marriages are crumbling at a rapid rate while churches pick and choose who they serve. I have had so many discussions about marital issues over the past few weeks that are very disheartening meanwhile the news and other media continues to belch out racism. It’s funny how similar the problems are between marital issues and racism.

• Races and spouses want their way.
• Races and spouses blame others for the current issues in their lives.
• Races and spouses don’t do the right things when it comes to reconciliation so issues perpetuate.

This problem seems to be huge! What am I supposed to do? GOD chose me to say this message and HE has made me holy and loves me dearly.

• I must clothe myself with compassion – GOD’s compassion doesn’t see race or wrong.
• I must clothe myself with kindness – GOD’s kindness goes above and beyond helping people who are easy to help.
• I must clothe myself with humility – GOD’s humility understands that I am the only one I need to control, not my spouse or another race.
• I must clothe myself with gentleness – GOD’s gentleness always seeks reconciliation.
• I must clothe myself with patience – GOD’s patience overlooks the same issues with me for a lifetime and HE expects me to do the same for other humans.

Bearing with others and forgiving others isn’t easy. GOD certainly doesn’t care who wronged who first because I wronged HIM first and HE died in my place. Churches make expansion plans while families make vacation plans both trying to isolate themselves from the world. BUT GOD wants me to mix it up and treat people as HE would treat me, with love and unity.

• Is your marriage crumbling?
• Do you have strong relationships between all races?
• What is it about your spouse or that race that bothers you?
• Can you let GOD change you in a way that you serve others no matter if they are flat out wrong?