Devotions of Romans 2
Romans 2
"when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things." (Romans 2:1)
When a Christian is on their journey of faith, there are many questions that they may encounter but also many people with different voices. Part of being a Christian is, as you are going through this life, you are able to walk with your Creator, Sustainer, and also your Redeemer. Yet it is this continued relationship and journey that we must and need to be reminded of it's importance. So often I have heard people who call themselves Christians, but they fall into this same pitfall. They want to be right, they want to help those around them, and they want others to know and experience God the way they do. But the way that they go about sharing that is in direct opposition to the way in which God has approached them.
These same people will often point out in others the way in which the other person is failing at their relationship with God. Point out the mistakes in their life which is causing them to struggle, suffer and be led astray from their Creator. They will say that they are doing this for "tough love" or that they are practicing the "hate the sin, love the sinner" idea. This has a way of tearing people down and putting another above the other. However, this is way of thinking is not the way in which God approached us. No, your Creator and Sustainer gave you the Law through Moses so that you may have good relationships with God and one another. The Law is to be used as a reflective piece to help you in your relationships. Also, so that you would engage those relationships helping one another in their journey and relationship with God and others. When God approached you, God did not come above you but rather came among us all, as an equal. To show you that God does know your journey, your sorrows and your joys. God knows the harshness of this world and God who Created you and all that exists did not do so, so that you may suffer in this world but rather that you may know of God's love and enjoy the world around you.
It was through this approach, that we were able to bear full witness to the love that God has for you. For Jesus was born in the lowliest of places, in manager among the animals. Lower than most of us find ourselves today in the modern world. As Jesus spoke and taught within the world, he delivered that message of understanding but also to understand what God was calling them to be in their new life that is found within him. For Jesus is the Way (someone that we should be looking to for guidance in what we are doing and striving for), the Truth (someone that we should listen to for reflection and clearing out the other voices in our life), and the Light (reminding us of the True purpose and relationship that God has with you). As we do this, we can reflect upon our Baptism, the way in which God has called us children to be His Very OWN! Also we can reflect upon Communion in which God does the work of our own salvation as a gift of grace to you.
So therefore the LAW has two purposes. It is to help you in your relationships with others but also to destroy your own desire and will so that you find the will that you are truly looking for. By stopping your own desire and will, you will then be able to be set free from those bonds and strive for even greater ambitions and the Will of God. Now the same is true for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in that there are two purposes. It is for you the individual but it is also for the whole community. For the Gospel reminds us that it is up to each individual to be in constant relationship with God and one another but also that it is the duty of the community to gather together and care for one another. Only by doing both purposes for the Law and the Gospel, do we find the true church and people of Jesus Christ in the world. Yet as soon as you think that you are a part of it, you will find that you are NOT. For it is only with humility and the gift of grace that you are there to enter.
Perhaps instead we should follow: "Love the sinner by following Jesus Christ" after all, we are suppose to be Disciples of Jesus Christ.
"when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things." (Romans 2:1)
When a Christian is on their journey of faith, there are many questions that they may encounter but also many people with different voices. Part of being a Christian is, as you are going through this life, you are able to walk with your Creator, Sustainer, and also your Redeemer. Yet it is this continued relationship and journey that we must and need to be reminded of it's importance. So often I have heard people who call themselves Christians, but they fall into this same pitfall. They want to be right, they want to help those around them, and they want others to know and experience God the way they do. But the way that they go about sharing that is in direct opposition to the way in which God has approached them.
These same people will often point out in others the way in which the other person is failing at their relationship with God. Point out the mistakes in their life which is causing them to struggle, suffer and be led astray from their Creator. They will say that they are doing this for "tough love" or that they are practicing the "hate the sin, love the sinner" idea. This has a way of tearing people down and putting another above the other. However, this is way of thinking is not the way in which God approached us. No, your Creator and Sustainer gave you the Law through Moses so that you may have good relationships with God and one another. The Law is to be used as a reflective piece to help you in your relationships. Also, so that you would engage those relationships helping one another in their journey and relationship with God and others. When God approached you, God did not come above you but rather came among us all, as an equal. To show you that God does know your journey, your sorrows and your joys. God knows the harshness of this world and God who Created you and all that exists did not do so, so that you may suffer in this world but rather that you may know of God's love and enjoy the world around you.
It was through this approach, that we were able to bear full witness to the love that God has for you. For Jesus was born in the lowliest of places, in manager among the animals. Lower than most of us find ourselves today in the modern world. As Jesus spoke and taught within the world, he delivered that message of understanding but also to understand what God was calling them to be in their new life that is found within him. For Jesus is the Way (someone that we should be looking to for guidance in what we are doing and striving for), the Truth (someone that we should listen to for reflection and clearing out the other voices in our life), and the Light (reminding us of the True purpose and relationship that God has with you). As we do this, we can reflect upon our Baptism, the way in which God has called us children to be His Very OWN! Also we can reflect upon Communion in which God does the work of our own salvation as a gift of grace to you.
So therefore the LAW has two purposes. It is to help you in your relationships with others but also to destroy your own desire and will so that you find the will that you are truly looking for. By stopping your own desire and will, you will then be able to be set free from those bonds and strive for even greater ambitions and the Will of God. Now the same is true for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in that there are two purposes. It is for you the individual but it is also for the whole community. For the Gospel reminds us that it is up to each individual to be in constant relationship with God and one another but also that it is the duty of the community to gather together and care for one another. Only by doing both purposes for the Law and the Gospel, do we find the true church and people of Jesus Christ in the world. Yet as soon as you think that you are a part of it, you will find that you are NOT. For it is only with humility and the gift of grace that you are there to enter.
Perhaps instead we should follow: "Love the sinner by following Jesus Christ" after all, we are suppose to be Disciples of Jesus Christ.
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