Where Judgement Lives, Love Does Not

I think Mother Theresa pretty much nails it here. This is my issue, and its your issue too. When we are busy judging people we spend all of our time looking at their sin and ignoring our own. And, we Christians are the worst, at least I am.

When Paul writes twice in Corinthians that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and that we are temples of God, do we think that the purpose of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is to give us an innate divine ability to know everything, including how everyone else should act? This mindset, when you think about it, is really a works-oriented mindset centering on an ability that is rooted in creation (man and woman) and not in the Almighty. Would God even do that? What, then, is the answer to our inclination towards judgment?

I have been struck lately on how many times love is referenced in the New Testament. It is as if Jesus wants His followers to be known by this love that He models to us.Why would He want His followers to be known by love? Why not works or faith or even mercy? Yea, that would work well with the sinful selfish heart of man. Here is the issue to me. If we are known by love we will be known as Jesus. If we are known by anything else other than love we will be known as ourselves. If we are to be known by our works or our theology or our doctrine it seems to me contrary to the most fundamental teachings of Christ. I mean listen to the words of Christ: "feed my sheep," "love one another," "the first shall be last," "humble yourself," "turn the other cheek" and "love your neighbor as yourself."  None of those scream me; they all scream Him.

Our hearts are wicked, and it is as Proverbs states, without God we will always choose destruction. Don't be confused; you will not choose your own destruction. All your actions will be about you, which, according to scripture, always leads to the destruction of others. This slant towards self, that leads to destruction is hidden and deceptive, but it will reveal itself in one open act, judgment. This tendency is built into each one of us, and if we do not fight it with the word of God, prayer, accountability and repentance it will eat us up and consume us, manifesting itself in ugly selfish ways that hurt others. Which, if that wasn't bad enough, also taints the name of Christ and His message.

Whether it is this Chick-fil-a controversy or something personal, when your response is in Christian love it will make a statement, not about you, but about Him. Jesus stated very clearly that we will know each other by our love for each other and not by our wisdom, theology or doctrine. While all of those are important they can not replace the divine presence of Christian love in the Believer. This is our difference, and how we should be known because Christian love is always Him and never us. So, what are we to do with our selfish hearts and our tendencies toward judgment and destruction? Well, see the quotes above. I know I am sick of my sin and longing for more of Jesus and His love. Come Jesus quickly...