“Why does he do that anyway? What is wrong with him?”
“Doesn’t she know that she looks silly? Someone ought to tell her the truth!”
Think of how many critical remarks we hear creep into daily conversations. We criticize our political leaders, our spiritual leaders, friends, family members, artists, musicians… everybody! Yes, I am too often guilty of being a critic of another’s actions. Tolerance is a much ballyhooed social value in 21st century America, but I’d never know it listening to many conversations that are filled with denigrating comments about the choices and actions other people.
Even Jesus’ disciples fell into the role of the critic when they saw the extravagant loving act of a woman. "Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?" (Matthew 26:6-10, NLT) “Celebrate her choice,” He told them. She did something different than they might have chosen to do with such a valuable item, but her motive of honoring Jesus was good.
People are amazingly different. I don’t ‘get’ why many do the things they do, but who made my way the only way? Who gave me the right to decide what is best for everyone? Of course, some choices cannot be encouraged. The Holy Scripture names sin and we cannot change God’s eternal Truth. Remember, too, that the Bible tells us that even when we are challenging sin in another we are to do so gently as we ‘speak the truth in love.’ But, honestly, wouldn’t you agree that much of what we criticize is not sinful or morally wrong but rather another’s preference?
Disciple, let’s work at being an encourager! Let’s go beyond mere tolerance to genuine appreciation of the unique people who are part of our lives. If we will listen carefully and attempt to really understand those whom God brings into our lives, we will discover more of the richness of the diversity that exists all around us. May this be especially true in Christ’s Church where we are, despite our many differences, truly one.
Here’s a word from the Word. May the Spirit use it to direct us to greater appreciation for the people that God has brought into His Body, right alongside of us. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, NKJV)
_____________
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored.
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.
All praise to the Father
From whom all things come;
And all praise to
Christ Jesus, His only Son;
And all praise to
The Spirit who makes us one.
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
Scholtes, Peter
© 1966 F.E.L. Publications (a div. of the Lorenz Corporation)
CCLI License No. 810055
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