We all at some point would be wise to check our hearts and see what attitudes we really have on the inside of us. It’s relatively simple to ascertain what we really think, feel and believe as our words and actions towards others will give it away, especially when we under under pressure or having a bad day.
It is however at times confronting to realise we may not be as patient or loving as we thought. Too often we can be like the story of two men in the bible coming to pray to God. One man puffed up with pride and arrogance is busy thanking God he wasn’t a lowly sinner like the other man standing beside him. This other man was crying out to God as he acknowledged his unworthy state and asked for God’s forgiveness. Even though the first man may have been doing all the “right” things externally his heart attitude grieved God as he was puffed up with spiritual pride and judgment. (Read Luke 18:9-14)
Jesus would rather we be merciful and kind towards others than any sacrifice, offering or good works we may bring. Even if we work amazing miracles, understand all mysteries, excel in knowledge, and have faith that can move mountains, He says it amounts to nothing in His eyes if we don’t walk in love and grace towards others.
Love doesn’t judge, point the finger; it doesn’t criticize and critique others. Love is free from judgement. When we love and live in grace, we leave judgments up to God who knows the hearts and minds of all of His creation. Our responsibility is to know what and in whom we believe, and to live looking to bless those around us. We can stand securely in God’s love and grace when we have discovered who we are in God. We regularly would benefit from reminding ourselves that we don’t need to pull others down to be able to stand on those truths.
The bible says, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
When we free our lives from passing judgments, forgiving grievances and cultivating a heart seeking to bless others, (even if they don’t agree with us), it changes our hearts, our minds, and our actions. It lifts the weight of negativity and irritation from us, breaks pride and arrogance and sets us free to love as Jesus loves, full of mercy, compassion, grace and willingness to bless.
Take some time to examine your heart today and allow Jesus’ great love for you to flow into the places in your life that are stained with judgement, arrogance, cynicism and hardness of heart. Thank Him for His lack of judgment and condemnation towards you, and then choose to make a shift from judgement to grace and love.
Prayer: Jesus I thank you for your great love for me that caused you to die in my place, so that I can live free from judgement. Forgive me when I have not extended the same love and grace to others and please help me to really love people as you love them. In Jesus name. Amen
Comments