I opened up my tattered Oswald Chambers’ devotion early this morning for a little Holy Spirit self-examination. There is something about this old guy, some super-duper Jesus power he has to make me feel both wretched and sorely convicted every morning.
It’s my favorite masochistic book; I feel terrible and yet continue to come back for more. Today’s lesson did not disappoint. It was on judgment, something I barely struggle with (yes that was sarcasm).
“Judge not, that ye not be judged.” (Matt. 7:1)
Whoa, now, slow down there Mr. Chambers, are you telling me God says the stick I measure others with will be used to measure my faults? Because I have a pretty short stick for those I deem to be idiots.
Now in my defense, my measuring stick has certainly grown over the years for family members and friends. I am far more patient and loving then I used to be, but I must confess passing criticism on my enemies far too often then I would like.
“Sam, what sort of enemies do you have?” you ask. Generally, sweet pastor’s wives aren’t out marauding or pirating and making enemies.
And while this is true, I certainly don’t go looking for trouble, I do have opposition. Every writer pisses someone off eventually.
In my case, I have the atheists who hound me with nasty comments, the puritanical swim trouser folks who find me indecent, and a few random blokes who spam me incessantly. (Ok, maybe they aren’t true enemies, but I don’t like their evil antics.)
Then there are the worst offenders, those few who simply don’t like me for no reason that I know of. This is where my judgment button kicks in to high gear. I don’t really care if they don’t approve of me, because in recourse, I simply write them off as having ridiculously poor taste.
Bang-judgment!
I’ve read the biggest reason people don’t like other people are because they sense the other person doesn’t like or appreciate them. Yep, that rings a bell.
Oswald reminds me, “There is always one fact more in every man’s case in which we know nothing.”Basically, he’s saying to give them the benefit of doubt. This is so hard!
I can choose to give the atheists grace, because though their words are poison, it’s obvious I have been given grace far beyond measure. And the bikini bashers, I will choose to love them but not agree with them. (By the way, I’m not referring to the modesty crowd here, I’m talking about the over the top ones who steal my articles and insult me.)
But to give the haters mercy, well…this one is more tricky. I have to acknowledge most importantly, what an idiot I was until God picked me up out of the miry pit, delicately brushed me of, and set my feet back on solid ground.
I’m glad Judgement Day won’t be here until October now, because Oswald and me have got some more work to do.
