“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?
"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:3-5
Lord, I was listening to a friend the other day speaking about another person’s inability to forgive them. I asked my friend, “Have you forgiven them?”
The answer was simple, “I told
them I was sorry.” Then my friend went on to explain their frustration with fact
that the other person’s behavior didn't change after the apology.
That’s
my problem too, Adonai―I expect my behavior and actions, good or bad, to
influence others. What’s more, I expect
that when I’m working on Your behalf―doing what I believe You want me to be
doing―others will somehow be transformed/convicted into behaving and acting as
I believe they should. At least that’s the way I’d like things to be.
You
my God seem to have another approach. From the beginning, You created us separated―individual―each
to choose our own personal relationship with You. You also created partners for
us, those who share (by choice, intimately or distantly) this magnificent gift
of life. Each must choose, each must face the consequences―no one can do that
for another.
In
my conversation with my friend, I explained a recent epiphany You’ve share with
me. It seems that as I comb the scriptures, I find copious chapters and verses
that, when taken to heart and obeyed in practice; change/fix me to the
better―Your better. On the other hand, in all my searches of Your word, I have
yet to find a single verse I can use to fix another person’s issues.
The
irony of course Master is that I certainly may be an instrument used to
identify a character flaw, social or spiritual conflict that I see affecting
another; I can offer prayer, personal support and scriptural references to
help my fellow man or woman work through any conflict. I can even invite another to consider accepting You as their Lord and Savior. But in everyday life, just as in eternal life, Conviction Conversations are between You and each individual. It’s Your Spirit that is the change agent. You are the One who reshapes lives and moves people.
Yet
even You choose not to make someone believe in Your righteousness and sovereignty,
so who am I to attempt such a thing on Your behalf? There is only one who has a
choice in that matter―the individual.
Blessings through the Days of
Awe,
Mark C.
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