Romans 14:10-13 NLT
So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
How easy is it to look at someone else and think to yourself, “When are they going to get it?”
I struggled with this for a long time.
Thankfully, God’s Word has shown me the error of thinking this way.
I have concluded that everything outside of my physical being and my thinking is in God’s hands. And if I believe that God is perfect and Holy, then the next logical conclusion that I draw is that everything, except for me and my thinking, is exactly the way it should be if I truly believe that God is perfect.
“Yeah but…”
Exactly!
Whatever follows those two words, “Yeah but…”, need to be brought before God.
Our attention and focus need to be on our relationship with God, we need to ask God to reveal the sin in our lives, and there is a lot to work out there.
Matthew 7:3-5 NLT
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
When we leverage our time here and sincerely start working out these things with God, our lives will start to change, and the things around us will start to change around us by the hands of God.
James 4:8-10 NLT
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Matthew 6:33 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
When our focus turns from the changes that we feel need to take place around us and start to focus on the changes we need to make inside of us, we finally start to take action on the one thing that will bring about lasting change in our lives by God’s hand.
Look at the two promises above:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
“…live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
When we start to focus on the things outside of our control, we are putting ourselves in place of God.
Our mind might start to think thoughts like:
“They just don’t get it?”
“They need to know what they are doing is wrong.”
“They’ll get theirs…”
“I’ll forgive but I won’t ________.”
WOW!
Who do we think we are?
Colossians 3:13-15 NLT
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
This is our command:
1. “Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.”
2. “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which bind us all together in perfect harmony.”
3. “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”
How do we do this?
Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
It is the Word of God consumed by a willingly submitted and humbled heart that will bring about the changes that you seek.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Look at this statement and let this dwell richly in your mind, heart and soul…
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
It’s easy to get wrapped up in how we think others around us need to change, but this is not where God wants us to focus our attention. He wants us to focus on our hearts before Him with consistency and sincerity; when we do that, He will start to open our eyes on how we are to love those around us, as He loves us, unconditionally.
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a willing submissive heart.
I know that everything outside of my physical body, thoughts, and attitudes are in Your hands; I pray that You give me the courage to examine my heart against the Holy standard of Jesus Christ.
And I know that You will work in me if my heart is submitted to Your Word.
I pray that You give me the strength, courage, and willing desire to seek You out above all else in my life.
Let my life glorify You, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
