THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Lord, You created me to point, but at times, my pointer is broken. My role as a Christ follower is not to point out other’s flaws. The only pointing You ask me to do is point others to Your unfailing love, grace, and mercy and a personal relationship with You. Often, while pointing out other’s flaws, we are tempted to compare our lives and behaviors with theirs. For the secular world, people comparing lifestyles and actions are a common trend. Usually, comparing ourselves with others makes one feel superior in some way.

For Christ followers, pointing and comparing is a sham to Your teachings Jesus. You made this clear when He taught about pointing out the “spec” [flaws, sins, imperfections] in someone’s eye when you have a “log” [boatload of sin] in your own eye, (Matthew 7:3, 4;  Luke 6:41,42).

Sadly, many times, Christ followers shoot their own. The Apostle Paul taught believers to extend the same grace and mercy You give us when someone finds themselves in moments of spiritual weaknesses trapped in a sin.

“If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”—Galatians 6:1 (NLT).

We are all subject to falling. We are all subject to failing. We all need grace and mercy.

Lord, Your method of helping someone who has tripped along the road to Heaven is clear. No piling on. No finger pointing, just coming alongside and loving that one back onto the right path.

May Christ followers be gracious and merciful to me if (when) I fail. Amen, Jesus.