Hateful words pour from all forms of media. I cringe. Judgments pronounced; allegations made; fingers pointed, and sourced by many Christian voices. Why? Why do we let pride control us–prompting us to defend ourselves from the same judgments we’re so quick to cast on others?
This ugliness is a fraud. Our defenses were useless long before now. We’re trying to hide the fact that we’re in the wrong. Well, let’s be honest, we are. All of us contribute to the messes in this world. None of us can innocently point the finger and cast the first stone. Have we deceived ourselves so much that we can’t acknowledge our sinful state? Even that crowd long ago recognized their inadequacies when Jesus spoke regarding the adulterous woman’s condemnation.
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her…At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time…” John 8:7b, 9a NIV
Such a sorrow this is. We can’t get anywhere with judgement and name-calling. That’s not the Gospel. Christians, we know that! We know that healing only comes when we confess our wrongdoings. This comes from repentance and reconciliation. It leads to growth and restoration. We’re saved by grace, because we are in fact in the wrong and can’t ever be or look good enough to change that state ourselves. It’s only by confession and forgiveness in the work of Jesus Christ that we’re saved.
We need more confessional voices. Honest humility. I’ll start! I am so quick to judge, compare, and evaluate. I am more concerned for my interest–not others’. I am more jealous than joyful for others. I do not love well. I am so easily distracted from pursuing God’s kingdom work. But these sins don’t have victory; don’t have the final say. I stand condemned but for Jesus! He forgives me, and His Spirit enables me to grow in love and right conduct. Daily humility and confession are the practices that make the way for transformation. Let our voices be confessional not condemning.
By Pin Pricks 