It is always good to remember (and I mean many times each day!) that we are all sinners. It devolves so easily into a religious platitude, but it is the undeniable truth of Scripture.
I may not struggle with a particular sin which is a wonderful mercy of God to me. Unfortunately, this can make me unduly harsh with others who do struggle with that sin.
One of the best antidotes I’ve applied when I sense my unrighteous judgment taking over (because there is a righteous one) is to remember areas where I am probably more tempted than many Christians. It is humbling. And it is healing.
As a person who has the gift of discernment focusing on my own sin brings a much greater level of patience and love when I am in acute disagreement with someone.
I am not going to name names, but will say I have had many wonderful and mutually respectful conversations with various people over the plagiarism issue.
Though my own perspective has not changed, I can say my many conversations have been truly free of rancor, name-calling, and straw men.
What a tribute to God’s great generosity!
There’s a huge difference between calling a brother on a sin in order to him to follow Christ more closely and standing on a brother’s sin to revel in his failure. The brother’s sin is still the same sin, but do I weep as a member of the same body or do I enjoy the distinction it creates between him and me? Thanks, Dave, for keeping the conversation where it should be.
Thanks for stopping by Colby. Best to you brother!
Well said, Colby.