Accountability Over Condemnation

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse!  When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.  And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.  Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?  Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  Romans 2:1-4

One of the things that I profess is that I truly love to learn about people.  I love to offer a kind word or a warm embrace, and to listen with an open heart.  My intentions are never rooted in seeking favor or gain.  Instead, they stem from a desire to affirm that every person is inherently worthy of God’s love and grace.  What matters is that you are a person worthy of God’s love and grace.  This belief comes from a deeply personal journey.  One where I struggled to perceive myself as deserving of such profound gifts. For a time, I erected barriers, convinced that God’s grace was beyond my reach.  But through His boundless mercy, those walls were dismantled, and I remain profoundly grateful for the transformation it brought to my life. This experience has shaped the humility with which I approach others, knowing that we all walk unique paths toward His embrace.

This leads me to one of my greatest concerns about the church, which focuses on condemnation.  It is not that I have issue with churches that condemns poor behavior or actions.  Instead, my fear stems from its initial approach to others.  A pastor asked a question, “What reason do you believe people you know stray from God?”  That is the wrong question!  Perhaps I am jaded a bit because no one I know has done such.  However, should that be the case, my question is not toward them.  It is toward myself.  What in my treatment or behavior have I done that has made one feel compelled to stray from God?  This is not to say I am responsible for their choice.  However, there is a level of accountability, and when there is a failure with someone in our life, there is always a healthy level of self-reflection and prayer to God asking is there something I have done or not done that had some impact and what is He trying to teach me.

A healthy relationship with God involves our looking inward to our own flaws as well as helping others in their journey of faith.  It is evident that God detests sin, and a significant portion of today’s verses emphasizes this point.  However, it does not pertain to the condemnation of those outside our sphere of influence.  It concerns our own self-reflection looking when we were unworthy of God's kindness, tolerance, and patience.  We were given it not only then but also today and beyond.  Our role is not to condemn at all.  Instead, it is to reach out with the love and grace God showed us from day one.  We all know our respective journeys, and one of the things that make clear where we are is the story of two sons in parable of The Prodigal Son.

We should perceive them as being at opposite ends of the same spectrum.  Furthermore, we should acknowledge we all fell somewhere on that line when we were saved.  The important thing is we keep moving from there.  Both sons fell short, whether by a small margin or significantly.  Yet, God showed love and grace to both, and they walked with Him on their journey.  Similarly, we embark on that journey, regardless of when it commenced.  In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus said, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”  This does not imply that if we are righteous and adhere to Jesus' teachings, we are not valued.  It is to say that everyone holds value.  To condemn someone reflects more about our heart for God than the values of others.

God seeks our heart above anyone else.  One need not look any further than the story of David.  When speaking of David, Samuel said to Saul, “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.  The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”  We know David was not perfect, but it is noteworthy that God sought ‘a man after his own heart.’  This should make it clear that while it is important that we serve God following His teachings and laws, it is the heart of God that ultimate matters greatest to Him.  Let us be the Christians that never lose sight of that.  How can you better appreciate and support others in their spiritual paths?  What will I commit to ensure I am growing in my faith?  How can I shift my focus from judging to extending grace and love instead?  My prayer is that when going to God we seek to be accountable to God above condemning others.  Amen.

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