I tell you the truth...
Judgment is a pretty sensitive topic to talk about, especially as a Christian. We've been raised to understand that no one but God is entitled to judge us and I believe that with all my heart. We judge people so many times but we don't see it, until we are judged. It is just sad that the world we live in today, we're judged by our actions rather than our reasons. Can we honestly say that we didn't judge at all?
Now things get a little interesting when we see people doing things that we believe are wrong. (Note my choice of words here... "we believe" instead of "we know") We try to bring their mistakes to their attention but no one seems to take heed of our advice.
"Who are you to say that I am wrong? Who are you to judge? You don't know my history... You haven't heard the full story..."I have come to understand that it is human nature to resist change. We have never favored others telling us to change. I don't like it too. We don't mind telling others to change. I do that all the time. When it comes to us, oh no... *not listening...*
There are times when we tell the "truth" to people, our friends, family and loved ones, but they choose to rebuke it . I understand that they have their reasons for doing so. Some don't like to be told. (Proverbs 16:18) Others have their own "truths" in their heart. How do I tell someone the truth when he thinks he knows it already? What if it is I who's wrong?
There is One who can tell us to change. There is One who will show us the path of righteousness. There is One who will tell us right from wrong. There is One whose voice we cannot ignore. (John 16:13-15)
I'm not perfect and I'm not always right. But I won't stop telling others to change, if I see the need for them to do so. I won't pursue them after that though, cause I need to exercise my faith in God that His plan will succeed. If I'm wrong, then through the Holy Spirit, my words will come back to me eventually and I pray for the strength to change myself. But if I'm right, I know He'll humble them and make them understand eventually.(John 3:19-21) I understand that by saying all that, I'm allowing others to do the same to me... Well, thats the price I've got to pay then... And I thank all who do so.
God's teaching me a lesson now... I feel He's showing me how to effectively let people (including me) see how their actions may become a stumbling block to others. And how to let people see that my opinions are not piercing darts to hurt and humiliate them, but as beams of support to strengthen them. (Ephesians 5:8-14) So that one day God can use us to glorify Him through our righteousness and faith in the Lord. (1 Peter 2:11-12)
I've never meant to hurt anyone. To all my friends that I have hurt in one way or another through my words, I am truly sorry. (James 3:6-12)
If you've friends or family who does things that goes against your faith, or your heart, I hope that you'll find the strength and wisdom in God to tell them, your loved ones...
Because remember, the reason why we even bother, is because we love...
