Have you ever done something, but it turned out differently than you thought it was going to?\u00a0 You may have meant to help someone, but in the end you actually hurt them?\u00a0 These sort of things are common, yet they can have long-lasting ramifications.\u00a0 I read a great quote earlier this week, unfortunately I can’t remember where I read it or who said it (my apologies to that person).\u00a0 The quote said, “we judge people based on their actions while expecting everyone else to judge us by our intentions.”\u00a0 I think that is one of the most accurate assessments I have read in a long time.\u00a0 If you are on Facebook you have seen this time and time again unfortunately.\u00a0 Someone will say something or do something and then all of the sudden there is a massive backlash against them.\u00a0 Obviously one recent occurrence of this has been concerning Phil Robertson and Duck Dynasty.\u00a0 Feelings run very deep on both sides of the controversy.\u00a0 However, the one thing that is consistent on both sides of the argument is this, each side is judging those on the other side.\u00a0 Each side is claiming to be tolerant of all people, loving all people, and for equality for all people.\u00a0 However, neither side is achieving what they are claiming.<\/p>\n
Jesus talked about judgment in Matthew 7:1-6.\u00a0 Now please do not make the mistake to simply quote the first verse of “judge not let ye be judged.”\u00a0 You need to read the entire context of what is being said.\u00a0 Jesus is talking about do not judge others when you yourself are doing the same thing.\u00a0 Hence, “don’t judge a person based on their actions while expecting everyone else to judge you by your intentions.”\u00a0 One of the most frustrating parts of the Phil Robertson controversy was the blatant hypocrisy on both sides.\u00a0 For those who want to claim “free speech” you must understand that free speech gives you the right to say what you want, but it doesn’t protect you from the consequences that may come as a result of those you represent not agreeing with you.\u00a0 For those who claim “tolerance” and “equality” you forfeit the right to say you are “tolerant” or want “equality” when you punish those whom you disagree with.\u00a0 So that it does not appear as though I am casting stones at those who have voiced their opinion regarding Mr. Robertson’s opinion without giving mine I will say where I stand.\u00a0 This will not come as a surprise, but I completely agree with what the Bible says about homosexuality.\u00a0 It is a sin, it is condemned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.\u00a0 However, as Mr. Robertson also pointed out, the Bible condemns all forms of sin.\u00a0 Therefore, the sins that I commit put me under the same condemnation as a homosexual.\u00a0 That is why Jesus came to earth and gave His life for us.\u00a0 Without the sacrifice of Christ, we are all in trouble.<\/p>\n
The point is this, you must decide are you going to make up your mind based on the actions of a person or the intent behind the actions?\u00a0 Whichever, you choose you must also be ok with others doing the same to you (good luck with that by the way).\u00a0 Why not leave the judging up to the only One who sees both the actions and the intentions as we see in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is<\/i> quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is<\/i> a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”\u00a0 That frees us up to look past the mistakes made and see a person who needs the love of God in their life.\u00a0 It frees us up to give people the benefit of the doubt when they hurt us (and yes they will still hurt us).\u00a0 It ultimately frees us up to love our neighbor as our self which is the second greatest commandment (Mt. 22:39).<\/p>\n
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Have you ever done something, but it turned out differently than you thought it was going to?\u00a0 You may have meant to help someone, but in the end you actually hurt them?\u00a0 These sort of things are common, yet they … Read More