We aren’t doing ourselves any favor by defining ourselves as good and others as bad.

Since you died, as it were, with Christ and this has set you free from following the world’s ideas of how to be saved—by doing good and obeying various rules—why do you keep right on following them anyway, still bound by such rules as not eating, tasting, or even touching certain foods?  Such rules are mere human teachings, for food was made to be eaten and used up. These rules may seem good, for rules of this kind require strong devotion and are humiliating and hard on the body, but they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires. They only make him proud.  ― Colossians 2:20-23, TLB

I want to stretch the very point of the passage. There have been many MAN-MADE rules being imposed to resolve different issues related to morality, piousness...and what have you, which are not even really getting rid of the evil in people: To resolve lust, women are encouraged to dress "modestly". And the definition of "modestly" is covering most of the flesh. To resolve conflict between men interested in one woman, the men are encouraged to respect whoever started courtship first, and the woman is encouraged to exclusively date one man at a time. To resolve anger, the involved parties are encouraged to do mute withdrawal and give up on friendship. To prevent a married person from committing adultery, they must be too cautious in relating with other people, even friends, of opposite sex. To discourage heartbreak, single men are told to be too careful in dealing with single women or their intention might be mistaken as something else. To keep purity, the single man and woman in a relationship are encouraged (or inspired) not to kiss before marriage. Same thing with women. Not just in Christian communities but happens there, too... there's this unwritten silly rule that it is taboo to crush on the crush of one's friend! These are just but a few. 

But, all those mentioned aren't really getting rid of the evil within as instructed in Ephesians, "Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives." (TLB) It clearly says, STOP ...and not cover up. There's no other way around them but to STOP. In other versions GET RID. Not do quick fix. People have been making all other attempts to prevent the results of inner issues which are in every person's heart instead of simply opening the Bible and find the solutions from there. We try other ways rather than being obedient in following the examples of Christ and the Apostles. Which doesn't resolve the very issue of sin: lust, greed, bitterness, envy, jealousy, selfishness... They do anything except following what the Bible already tells Christians to do.

Lust is in the heart. Adultery is in the heart. Idolatry is in the heart. Greed, bitterness, anger, hatred, pride, arrogance...all are in the heart. It says in the book of Galatians, "when you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group—and there will be wrong doctrine, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and all that sort of thing. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God." 

It's a choice to act on the issues within you. It's not about what other people do around you, it's not the circumstance nor the situation. It's all what's in the heart. When one sins, his/her own issue is just being exposed through another person or a situation. Jesus did nothing wrong to Judas yet Judas betrayed him. And the underlying issue is what? Greed. Unbelief. Personal agenda. Maybe even hatred. No matter how we try to cover up sin, its existence remain in the heart if not dealt with head on. If not acknowledged. Not because sin didn't birth it's not there. Jesus set the standard higher. A man need not commit sexual immorality with a woman to commit adultery. With eyes alone he sins.  (Matthew 5:28)

Telling women to cover themselves will never solve lust. Why is rape still rampant in countries where women are fully covered? Why are even young female children being sexually abused? (And, if I may add what the Bible suggests, "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." — why are Christian women too focused on how some others dress up while they still wear elaborate gold or pearl or whatever accessories and wear expensive clothes? Another example of cherry-picking Bible lines they want to apply and disregarding what they don't want to.) 

The Word says, "God wants you to be holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins. God wants each one of you to learn to control your own body. Use your body in a way that is holy and that gives honor to God. Don’t let your sexual desires control you like the people who don’t know God." Part of Christian discipline is to be masters of our own bodies. To exercise the fruit of the Holy Spirit—SELF-CONTROL. Yes, we can always flee. But, should temptation confront us face to face, will we stand firm following Christ's teachings? We will all be tested with fire. We will all be facing tests to challenge our faith. Will we prove ourselves worthy? Or are we only good at quick fixing? It is not by adding rules that the issue of lust gets solved. It is by living by the Spirit and choosing to follow the Spirit and not the flesh, which is the very thing with lust issues.

Telling single men to give way when a woman is already being pursued by another man doesn't solve the underlying issues in both men and women—pride, entitlement. It even gives a woman less privilege to choose a lifetime partner. And telling them to be too careful in dealing with single women isn't teaching them to "treat the older women as mothers, and the girls as your sisters, thinking only pure thoughts about them..." (1 Timothy 5:2) and "love each other as brothers and sisters." (1 Peter 3:8)

Advising people to end friendships when conflict happens don't teach them to be long-suffering, patient, tolerance and being kind. And it doesn't promote what the Bible teaches about CONFRONTATION (Matthew 18:15-17) and LOVING like we love ourselves. It also doesn't teach them to practice Colossians 3:13, "Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." 

I can go on and on... but, the bottom line is, God is telling us to PUT AN END to sin NOT by covering them up with rules to follow so people can simply hide their flaws. Christians are challenged to practice using the fruit of the Spirit. To fight the good fight. Battling their flesh. Denying themselves daily. It means, conscious effort and choice to do the right thing even in the face of temptation and not simply by avoidance. We are being equipped for a real battle. But, we're only knowledgeable in theory, not in practice.

One reason why being judgmental becomes a way of life in the Christian community is because many can just hide their issues and sins behind closed doors. They appear so angelic, very active in Church activities and ministries but have envy, hatred, whatever...in their hearts. Not as grave as the others' they're judging...but we're forgetting that in God's Eyes, all sins are equal. Nowhere in the Bible do we find God distinguishing between levels of sin. God doesn't share our rating system. To Him, all sin is equally evil, and all sinners are equally lovable. You're not murdering but you're looking down on others. Jesus said, "whatever you do to others, you do to Me". You're not coveting but you're gossiping. You're not stealing but you're speaking ill of others. There's no difference. You're still violating the second greatest commandment: "love your neighbor as yourself". And you can't violate the second commandment without violating the first.

Christianity isn't about what we readily show but who we really are even inside our closets. We can't stop sexual immorality by avoidance alone. We have to really choose even in the face of the toughest temptations. Same with all other worldly and fleshly desires. There's a need to stop quick fix. The Word says, PUT AN END. "Away then with sinful, earthly things; deaden the evil desires lurking within you; have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires; don’t worship the good things of life, for that is idolatry. God’s terrible anger is upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world; but now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing, and dirty language.

Don’t tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all its wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone. You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you. In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all.

Jesus is our teacher. It's His ways that we follow. We don't need to look for other ways. We only need to look to Him. The Holy Spirit has been given to us. To instruct us, guide us and remind us. Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other..." — Colossians 3. There is no more need to add complicated rules that only adds burden. We can't even keep up with the two greatest commandments, why do we add more? Are we forgetting Matthew 15:9? — "Their worship is worthless, for they teach their man-made laws instead of those from God."

Birthed sins are obvious sins. But, Christians can easily walk away with sins that are just conceived. Let's not deceive ourselves. The Word says, "from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts of lust, theft, murder, adultery, wanting what belongs to others, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, and all other folly. All these vile things come from within; they are what pollute you and make you unfit for God." — Mark 7:21-23

Don’t waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths and legends. Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. — 1 Timothy 4:7

A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. — Luke 6:40

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. — 1 Corinthians 9:25

The emphasis is participation not suppression. One can't say he's not a sinner only because he has avoided temptation. The only proof of righteousness is when one has successfully conquered his inner demons and walks away blameless.  Oh, the last part of the main passage says, "those rules only make people proud!" Very evidently PROUD, indeed! 

Every single event in life happens as an opportunity to choose love over fear.

Fear, I perceive, is something that drives people to do or not to do things. Many are steered by this emotion. And, it makes me ask myself, "am I also being driven by it?" I don't wanna be influenced by it, but somehow it can't be helped. With the many unpleasant things going on around, you can't help but be protective of yourself and do self-preservation. Past experiences, esp the painful ones, cause this emotion to be very operative like a personal escort alarming people of possible danger. Thing is, it may not be a REAL danger but just a perceived danger...and it's only because people have experienced serious heartbreak in the past, which makes them overprotective of themselves in the present. Fear, then, is like a skookum house. It detains you and forbids you to live a life of freedom.

Makes me appreciate this verse "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." It's found in 1 John 4:18. There are two things that make me muse on the word LOVE. If you notice, the line practically suggests that when you love, you don't fear. Because there's an absence of it when love is present. But, if you consider the next sentence, PERFECT LOVE is mentioned. As I understand it, it's not just about the love as people understand it. Not just the love that people feel. Not the one that's fleeting and fading with time. But, it's one that is PERFECT.

The word PERFECT is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. Some synonyms include: without fault, exemplary, beyond compare, unequaled, quintessential. The author of the verse did not just say LOVE alone. He added an adjective to highlight what kind of love it is that can drive fear away. It is not just any love, but PERFECT love.

Which makes me convinced that it's not enough that people just settle for what the world tells us about love, or how we perceive love with our half-baked understanding of what it truly is. There's a scale...a gauge ...a level of quality to strive after. And unless we have a clear grasp of love's nucleus, we'll always be locked up in the slammer of FEAR. As long as we're ruled by fear, we'll never be able to experience love. More so, we won't be able to give love. We're gonna keep craving for it...begging for it...looking everywhere for it...but none will satisfy.

So, does it mean LOVE can never be experienced and attained? I'd say, of course, NO. God is LOVE. And, as we draw closer to Him, we'll have a better knowledge of love's essence. As we receive love from God Who is the Source of it, the love we receive will become a part of us...that it becomes the air we breathe in and out. Love will become like an involuntary muscle of our soul. It becomes a part of our being. And because it is a muscle, we need to flex it regularly...keep using it and giving it away...voluntarily and involuntarily. There will always be times we won't feel like loving. But, that is why Jesus said, "I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you." (John 13:34, ERV) God gave us LOVE and Jesus gave us a command to DO it and not just to FEEL it. We are told to be givers and not only to be receivers. 

Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. ― Ephesians 5:2

Never compromise Truth for the sake of getting along with people who can only get along when you agree.

My understanding of the word LEADER esp when it comes to discipleship isn't about position. It's rather a verb. It's more of leading by example. You build relationship and you show them how things are done. In discipleship's case, it's how things are done based on Christ's example. 

Contemplating on the idea, I believe there's truth in it. You can't be all nice. There is a need to maintain authority. Else, people will just be their own captains. Jesus also showed authority among His friends (disciples). Those who didn't believe Him eventually left. Those who questioned His ways and teachings went away. Because His teachings were indeed hard; and, those who found His instructions difficult and unpopular, criticized Him.

A number of times, God reminded me this one thing:  

"Students are not better than their teacher. Servants are not better than their master.  Students should be happy to be treated the same as their teacher. And servants should be happy to be treated the same as their master. If those people call me ‘the ruler of demons,’ and I am the head of the family, then it is even more certain that they will insult you, the members of the family!"

Tis Jesus speaking in the passage found in the book of Matthew (vs 10:24 & 25).

True enough, there will be people who will question, chide, belittle... anyone who follows and teaches Jesus' ways and commands. At times, they'd get offended at what's said although it's all Biblical. It's tougher when they'd built mindsets and understanding of the Word that's totally their own. Esp when they've been holding on to those mindsets and understanding for all their life. The challenge comes when it's time for them to break it and you happen to be the one to do the breaking!

Happened to me not just a couple of times but countless times. Hesitation will always be there but this always comes to mind...

"...don’t worry about what to say or how you should say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. It will not really be you speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.

...Everyone will hate you because you follow Me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved." (10:19, 20, 22)

Repeatedly, I'd hear from Church pastors how many people leave the congregation after finding certain sermons objectionable. Naturally, the preaching will come out off-putting to them...because... 

God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.

Oftimes, people are oversensitive to corrections. They malign anything that points at their flaws. I am not exempt from this. At times, my heart bleeds hearing something that exposes my hidden evil thoughts, feelings or deeds. And, if I am to be real honest now...there really is an impulse to rise in arms whenever it feels like I'm being upbraided. My inside protests automatically...like a whim. Thank God for His grace I acknowledge it's PRIDE. So, when I don't understand something, when I don't see the wrong in me...I take the lesson with me, place it in my pocket for later use. I contemplate and assess things...I gauge myself. 

To lead people, one needs true grit. One must not have the need for approval. Otherwise, they'll crouch down in fear and choose to say what will be pleasing to the hearers, instead of what the hearers need to hear. Jesus showed His example ― He wasn't swayed by men. He paid no attention to who they were but continued teaching the way of God in accordance with the Truth [ref Mark 12:14].  After all, Christians are warned that ...

"everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  ― 2 Timothy 3:12

Not everyone has an open mind, which is very necessary in order to grasp the Truth [example of the Bereans. Ref Acts 17:11] And, because of this, Jesus and the Apostles encourage all Christians and disciples to stand firm...be strong in the Lord and hold on to faith. Never be afraid of rejection... even reproach. Speak the Truth in love. But, be ready that not everyone can/will accept it for the Word says...

"The Father sent Me. No man can come to Me unless the Father gives him the desire to come to Me. Then I will raise him to life on the last day." ―John 6:44

Some hearts are too hardened to receive the Truth...they're blind and deaf...

‘They will look and look but never really see;
    they will listen and listen but never understand.
If they saw and understood,
    they might change and be forgiven.’ 

― Mark 4:12


...You will listen and you will hear,
    but you will not understand.
You will look and you will see,
    but you will not understand what you see.

―Acts 28:26

It will always be tough to lead. You need to guard your heart, your mind and your lips with all alertness, or you, too will fall into temptation. You might be swayed to take the easier way. To choose convenience. Several times God reminded me this...

 

"The person who is right with Me will live by trusting in Me. But I will not be pleased with the one who turns back in fear." ― Hebrews 10:38

There will always be situations where you will need to rebuke, to correct, to say things that may offend others.  Not because of foul words used or because of intention. But, by simply speaking the Truth which happens to point at an issue in a person's life. And you can't be resolving to being nice just to try to make the person comfortable or to keep the harmony. Just trust that if the person belongs to Christ, (s)he will recognize His voice through you. Maybe it'll not happen as smoothly as you expect, but in God's perfect time it will. ^_^ Jesus was not always nice with words. There were instances when He spoke harshly. Read Matthew 10:34-36 and tell me if it's not sarcastic. He also said this line to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” Sometimes, there's simply no other way to express what we need to say other than the way it will sound offensive to the receiver. 

Of course, this should be taken with caution or you might become too comfortable offending others. Being a leader doesn't give anyone the right to lord over another. And we have to be careful that what we're shoving down anyone's throat isn't just any rule we created based on how we understand the Word ―cherry-picking what we independently decided to be moral and disregarding which we disagree. We have to understand and use the Word in Its very context. It's safer rather to quote the Bible as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16...

"All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live."

 Leadership needs a lotta wisdom and grace from God. Therefore, leaders must devote themselves to prayer...being watchful... Pray without ceasing!

Pen down...closing my diary.

...Clock shows 4:14am and am wide awake. Music on. So many thoughts running in my head at the same time. Thought of typing them in OpenDiary. When was the last time I checked it?  Can't even remember.  Today, it's no more. *sad*  

Was about to log in ...only it wouldn't take me to the page. So, I made a track down of what could be going on. And, here's the sad news I found...

"Open Diary officially shutdown on 7th of February 2014 at 12:04 a.m. EST."

 Letting go can't be so hard to do but it's neither easy. Like am this kind of person who finds it hard to just give up on / let go of ANYTHING. Holding on is what am good at doing. If I have a huge storage I'd have a collection of assorted things. A serious case of hoarding!

Once it came into me a thought...it's easier to let go of something that died than something (or someone) that just left. My reason's when you know it's dead, it's gone forever...while when it just left, you know it just moved somewhere and knowing it still exists ignites something inside that push you to search for it. (Without certainty it wants you back.) Hope lingers that a time may still come that you'd bump into that some-thing/one again...desperately hoping you both feel the same excitement and happiness having found each other again. 

Going back to OD... it's truly GOODBYE. *sniffs* It buried with it my thoughts and emotions I may not anymore remember. Hope it's a good thing.

...and it closed some chapters of my life I rather should forget. Farewell, OpenDiary. Twas a good journey with you all those years. ^_^

'I release you. I evict you from my heart. Because if I don't do it now, I never will.'

 

The only thing we never get enough of is love. And sadly, the only thing we never give enough of is love.

I am no one special. I am just a single girl. ...But I have a secret. You can build walls all the way to the sky and I will find a way to fly above them. You can try to pin me down with a hundred thousand arms, but I will find a way to resist. And there are many of us out there, more than you think. People who refuse to stop believing. ...People who love in a world without walls, people who love into hate, into refusal, against hope, and without fear. I love... Remember. They cannot take it.

― Delirium

Am keeping my hopes up that even Valentine's Day is over, LOVE will persist in the hearts of everyone. That LOVE will be people's highest goal everyday. That the world will be filled with nothing but lovers ― no more haters ...only people who choose to LOVE. I desire to see everyone expressing LOVE even in the simplest ways as a practice all throughout the year. May LOVE be our way of life. Make it your lifestyle. ^_^

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  
―  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

We hate and we love for reasons that are known only to us.

Dear Self,   

You have been doubted, hated, talked about, made fun of, hurt, lied to, lied on, broken and at your wits end. With that being said, I commend you for the fact that you are still standing. Your courage speaks volumes! I know your struggle and the pain you’ve endured. You are more than a conqueror. I am proud to say that your heart belongs to me. Nothing can keep you down and no one can steal your joy. All of your storms have ended up blessing the sky with rainbows. Don’t give up, continue to stand tall and love yourself first. You are appreciated...  

~ Self

―  Words from a Wanderer  ―

Life is a privilege. Living is a choice. There are decisions that got to be made and however good your intentions may be, people will always see things the way they want. Hurting others isn't always a deliberate act. People will get hurt no matter how careful you try to be with their feelings. And it's not always anyone's fault. It's just their expectations aren't met. So, why bother too much? All that's there to do is live your life. Strive harder to be a good person and do not hurt anyone. If, still, someone gets hurt or offended ...mainly by being you, by your choices, by just being there... know that you can't please everyone. It's not always your fault. So, stop trying. Trying harder will only frustrate you. So, just do the best that you can and leave the rest to happen the way they should. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Live your life to the fullest. ^_^

 

  

Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who NEED it.

“Righteousness and generosity are inseparable. 

The person whose heart longs for God also longs to give to others.” 

― Dillon Burroughs

For the 2ndth time, I encountered the same modus operandi. I am sure many commuters have encountered the same and maybe more and different kinds. Am not a regular daily traveler. Thank God! But, I was given the chance to experience something, which I believe had to happen to broaden my understanding of God's heart.

It's been a debate in my head whether to extend alms to the beggars in the streets. I've, actually, resolved to not give cash; instead, I offer food. But, most of the time, however, I have none with me that I can offer. And my heart bleeds whenever I just walk away without giving anything, especially when the beggar's a senior citizen or a small child. There are times, I break my own rule. I still give some money. But, I'd say, it's with careful judgment. 

One early evening, about a couple of weeks ago, I was about to go home and just outside the building where I stay stood a young man. He was wearing a uniform and carrying a huge backpack. He's just a bit taller than me, slim. He looked haggard. Nonchalantly, he approached me as I walked toward his direction. At first, he was speaking so faintly. So, I had to ask him to repeat what he said. Then, he started telling me about his long day. 

His story was... well...he started by saying that he lost his wallet and nothing's left to him. He and his classmates had an interview at Medical Plaza. Said they were in the area since eleven that morning. Twas already past 8 when I bumped into him. He introduced himself as a nursing student and they're hoping for a slot in the clinic for OJT. He wasn't able to detail to me how he lost his wallet, though. And, I only figured it now. Boo! Anyway, he went on telling me that he's left by his classmates with nothing. I asked where's he's phone. He wasn't able to give a clear answer but he didn't say twas also stolen. I asked for his identification or whatever he can show me, but all he said was there's nothing left because his wallet was taken including all important stuff like credit and debit cards. Asked his name...I can't remember anymore. Besides, there's no point. He could be lying about it, anyway. But, it sounds like Xyrille and his last name was foreign. According to him, his father's half Japanese. Though, it didn't sound Japanese to me. 

After he shared his story, I asked him..."so, what do you need from me?" He, then asked if I can extend help by giving him any cash amount he can use for his fare home. I asked, where's home? His answer was Bulacan. I had no idea how much is the fare to that place so I asked him how much he needed. Found it unbelievable when he said he needed 300 Pesos! That's an obvious hint he was duping me. Well, while I was interrogating him, I knew he was trying to trick me. It's not that I was playing along or something but days before this happened, I was enlightened by God's Word, so... (I'll talk about it later.)  He had to explain why 300 Pesos. I had to cut him and told him I can only give him a hundred and asked him "will this do?" I remember him saying, "it's ok. I'll just ask from other passers by." Before I left I told him, "God bless you" and tapped his shoulder. His last words were, "thank you."

When I reached the lobby, I phoned a friend who stays in Bulacan. Asked him how much is the fare from where I am to Bulacan. I wasn't really surprised when he said, the most is 60 Pesos. Then, I shared what happened.

It broke my heart. What's playing in my mind that time was "some people abuse kindness, which causes good people to be cynical." I can't really blame how most of the people I know are refusing to give alms and say they're (the beggars) just members of syndicates. But, I had to guard my heart not to shrug off the idea of giving. If there's any mistake I'd done that time, it's I didn't take the chance to be bold enough to speak the Truth to that boy. Could've changed his heart completely. Yet, I don't wanna be hard on myself. Twas something new to me. I only need to learn from it.

My reason for not turning my back on that boy is what I understood from the Bible...found in the book of John chapter 6 verses 25-35.  In verse 26, Jesus revealed to the people the motivation of their hearts. He exposed to them that they're not after His miracle but they want to have their fill (for their stomachs) and they knew that Jesus and His disciples will provide food. What fascinated me was the fact that Jesus knew their intentions. But, He was not bothered by that. He did what He had to do ― to be generous regardless of what their reason was for being there. If Jesus, Himself, made a decision to still be generous in spite their wrong intention, what right do I have to withhold from anyone God's generosity to them? I am only a steward of His blessings. And I am here on Earth to be a blessing. So, I have no right to hold back benevolence.

This is not to say that Christians must do things blindly. Of course, there's a call for wisdom in different situations. And it should always be with the leading of God's voice when it comes to giving away God's blessings. Again, we are only His stewards and we must be very careful how we handle His resources. But, that particular situation, I believe, God allowed to happen to give me a first-hand experience of what the passage I mentioned earlier means. Like the Word teaches us, "faith without action is dead" ...whatever God teaches us through the Word and Jesus' example, we should be able to put to practice according to His purpose and guidance. 

So, the next time it happened to me, which was just a few days ago, I already knew how to handle it. I looked the person in the eye and said, "am sorry but I encountered this same thing just a week ago so I can't help you." Then, I gave him a sincere smile. Wish I had the boldness to share the Word, but well...God's grace will always be sufficient for me. In my next adventures I am more equipped!  ^_^

Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” ― Hebrews 13:2

There are times it gets to be tiring to do good. To continue doing good. Guess it's but natural to feel the need for appreciation once in a while. Why, it's never easy to choose to be kind all the time, y'know! Especially, it's not as easy to risk offering a helping hand to people who have the biggest possibility to simply abuse help. In this world, almost everyone's after their own. Many are too busy to stop a while and attend to the needs of others. When you observe them and what they value, you're sure to start wanting to just look after yourself, as well. It's tempting to just shrug off the idea of giving a helping hand when you realize how very few people are willing express gratitude.

I always remind myself to not bother whether others are doing their Christian duty or not. It's not my problem if they choose not to. And I shouldn't also concern myself too much if people choose not to remember what good was done to them. It's their life. Besides, in the book of Luke chapter 17, Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to thank Him. So, whatever! But, I guess what am trying to put across is, although it shouldn't be one's aim to try and earn the favor, recognition, appreciation, acknowledgement... etc. of people, deep down they're like a cold beverage that quenches thirst after a hard day's work. It's a big encouragement!

...and I am encouraged! I thank everyone who takes time to show appreciation for the good I've done and the impact I made in their lives. Just when I thought no one notices or acknowledges, God makes a way to assure me that my good works don't go unnoticed. They're all acknowledged and appreciated.

It's not really a rare occurrence that I receive "thank you" and commendation messages, actually. But, what makes this one special is, it came at a time when I started feeling discouraged because it seems that none of what I do is appreciated, anyway. And many would even give me a cold shoulder after or would behave ungrateful. I've reached another point when I simply just wanna take an indefinite break from doing good to others. Just God won't allow me to take a leave, though. Rather, He refuels me with encouragement through sincere people who express their thankfulness for what little or big I'd done. Even things I do not do out of the ordinary but have impact in their lives.

    

I divorced social networking sites for the second time for almost a week last week. Today, I reopened my Facebook page and I received a message from a cyber acquaintance. Gives me motivation to not stop doing what I started doing whether or not it's acknowledged because I'll really never know who needs help the most. I have no idea how many lives are being saved by doing just one random act of kindness everyday. ^_^ 

Well, what a wonderful way to start the day!

Cheerio, peeps! Smile and always be kind. 

That's what life is ― adjustment.

“Life is similar to a bus ride. The journey begins when we board the bus. We meet people along our way of which some are strangers, some friends and some strangers yet to be friends. There are stops at intervals and people board in. At times some of these people make their presence felt, leave an impact through their grace and beauty on us fellow passengers while on other occasions they remain indifferent. But then it is important for some people to make an exit, to get down and walk the paths they were destined to because if people always made an entrance and never left either for the better or worse, then we would feel suffocated and confused like those people in the bus, the purpose of the journey would lose its essence and the journey altogether would neither be worthwhile nor smooth.”  ― Chirag Tulsiani

True. Life is a lot like a bus ride. Am not a frequent bus rider and I get to be really impatient inside a bus. But, I think I've learned some worthwhile lessons in the every ride I make. 

As in a bus ride, in life, we meet various kinds of personalities. Some we easily get along with. Some don't find us appealing ...and no matter how we try and be friendly to them, all they're after's to reach their destination. Some will start small talks and then out of nowhere stop talking. And these are just but to name a few scenarios, which are undeniably true in life. 

We should realize that it's not life that is difficult. It's relationship. Life is pretty simple, in fact. It's like riding a bus ― getting along with other bus riders and relating to them as they are WITHOUT imposing our own agenda. Just, it's not how we do things, though. We try so hard to shove ourselves down people's throat only because they're in our path. At times we want to stop them from leaving because we've already started feeling comfortable around them. We resent whenever they snooze along the trip leaving us without a companion. What we must realize is, many people simply just want to ride a bus ―  to live (and to be given the right and freedom to do as they wish) and reach their destination. Most of the time, it's not about us. It's not about them finding us uninteresting or what. People have their own personal issues and concerns just as we do have our countless issues and concerns. And, we just gotta let them be. 

Let's not be surprised if some people leave by choice or by fate. We own NOTHING. The sooner we realize and accept this, the more we're saved from unnecessary disappointment, anger and pain. God gave all us free will. If He does not get in the way for us to practice our freedom, then let's not get in the way for others to live the way they want. We can't expect people to live the way we see best for them and enforce it on them. Life is in itself a teacher. The best lessons are better experienced. And we must be selfless enough to allow people live freely without emotionally manipulating them just to get what we want. If they wake up one day feeling like escaping from the world, then let us not feel so badly that we address through a gesture how we didn't like their present decision. It's their life. Live yours. Don't make them walk on eggs.  

...and there are people who really make our ride uncomfortable and this is inevitable. Sometimes, we also play this role. For some reasons, there are people who find satisfaction in inflicting pain to others. But we are without options. Our stopovers, like school and Church, equip us to have the right attitude. We can simply ignore them and choose what battles to face ― remain composed and not be affected by their behavior; we can move to another seat; or we can drop off the nearest station and take another bus. Maybe there are more options, in fact. Just the thing is, we need to help ourselves enjoy the ride. ^_^

So, let us simply enjoy life. Live independently with others. It is a choice. It's our privilege!

 

  

We can be mended. We help mend each other.

“Because that happened to me when I was little, this is how I will now treat other people"; "Because so and so beat me up and hurt me a long time ago, that gives me the right to treat people the way I treat them, today"; "Because life was hard on me, life should be hard on everyone else around me"— does this sound/ look familiar? It's called victim mentality. When people choose to be the direct product of everything that happened to them, the direct product of every single pair of hands that hurt them. And the world, to these people, must bend over backwards in order to accommodate their wounds. Some people don't want to be loved; they just want to make the world pay.” 

- C. JoyBell C.

If God even exists, why is there so much hatred and injustice in the world? Why would a loving God allow too many bad things happening instead of going down and change all that?

Typical questions but pretty tough to answer. Agree?

When I heard of these questions one time again, I thought of the hatred certain people I personally know of have in their hearts and how much they won't let go of it. How they refuse to allow themselves to just forgive. No matter how long has it been in their hearts and so many wonderful things happening in their lives at the moment they still hold on to that feeling of hate.

Am not saying they have no basis for feeling the way they do. In fact, they have all the reasons to be angry. They'd been done wrong. And if I were in their shoes, am sure it's gonna be hard for me to just let it pass. There are even petty offenses that I find hard to forget. I'd often think how certain people just can be so reckless with another's feelings. Should they be bailed out as easily as that?

Justice shouts and echoes in our ears. We all think we DESERVE justice...for the things people done wrong to us. We want them to be punished for hurting us. We want them to suffer the way we did for inflicting us pain.

Evil exists in this world. And it's evil in the hearts of people that makes them do bad. And evil is done to multiply evil. When another heart is broken, there conceives hatred. It's just a matter of time that it gives birth to evil through actions and reactions.

I believe God offered FORGIVENESS so the problem of hatred will be solved. He first forgave us and He expects us to also forgive. He used to punish people in the ancient times for their wrongs almost immediately or required them to offer sacrifices to be forgiven. But, those didn't work. Their hearts were still filled with evil desires. They continued doing wrong as they pleased.

He sent LOVE into the world in the form of Jesus. The life of His Son showed how to defeat hatred. It's by denying Himself each time He's wronged. Denying His right to retaliate and defend Himself. It's giving importance to relationship than self. It's about selflessness. Love is humility. Love is accepting that the world is mad and crazy. That the world could cause so much harm because of evil that is in it but it shouldn't anymore be multiplied. It has to DIE [end].

Forgiving is ...evil being done to you, but you don't have to pass it on. It has to die in you. Hatred need not conceive and give birth to more evil. It can stop by choosing to forgive and let go and then repaying it with LOVE. This way, though evil may still exist, hatred need not multiply.

Now, how about INJUSTICE? Don't we all agree that injustice is done when the offender gets away with whatever evil he does? This is practically why we can't stop spreading hatred. Because we think offenders need to pay. But, God doesn't think that way. Truth of the matter is, we all need to pay for something. But, He doesn't meet us everyday thinking about how He can punish us just like how we go about our lives every single day thinking about how someone has done us a terrible thing and we require justice. We carry with us every single day the offense and the offender. Only later to realize that they're not the only ones we'll bump into in this world. There'll be more offenses and offenders along the road. All are just the same like us--HURT. So, we collect so much hate until we are consumed by it.

God wants us to renew our minds and replace JUSTICE with LOVE. Hurt people hurt people. They are not about relationships. They are about getting even. They just want repayment. That's why many people find it hard to TRUST. Because they're so filled with collections of offenses. Not knowing they're collecting junks. Things that are of no worth and eventually rot. So, they live every day of their lives stinking and unaware of it. But, those around them get affected.

When we don't forgive, hatred only grows bigger and bigger until it can't anymore fit in our hearts and it starts manifesting in our lives. We start rotting inside and the stench starts coming out. All the people we come across with receive this hatred through us--by hurting them or by being reckless with them. Usually in the form of harsh words, judgment, slander, stealing, bullying, snobbing, through animosity and hostility...and many others. Eventually, these people also end up broken. And they go out in the world bumping into other people and multiplying hatred.

Forgiveness puts an end to hatred. Where there is no hatred evil will not persist. We have been offered forgiveness. We also must be willing to offer it to help heal the world from the damaging hatred.   

 “The opponent strikes you on your cheek, and you strike him on the heart by your amazing spiritual audacity in turning the other cheek. You wrest the offensive from him by refusing to take his weapons, by keeping your own, and by striking him in his conscience from a higher level. He hits you physically, and you hit him spiritually.”  

- E. Stanley Jones, Gandhi: Portrayal of a Friend

 

  

I'm a little rose who grows in deep and difficult places.

“The desire to love someone always exceeds the desire to be loved by someone & that's exactly why we end up loving the person who doesn't deserve that LOVE.” 

 ―  Bombay Girls 

Maybe I'm thinking too much. Not sure. But, a very huge part of me is convinced that everything is just part of God molding my character. Some of my previous posts tackled about God isn't after my comfort but the perfection of my character. And it's not just for me, in fact. It's for everyone who claims to be Christians ― Jesus' followers.


Just looking at the second greatest commandment, "love your neighbor as yourself"...creates a lotta questions in my head and one of which is, "why did Jesus had to add 'as yourself'"? Why didn't He just plainly say, "love your neighbor"?


I've heard a few number of people complaining about difficult people in their midst. These difficult people make their lives seriously hard. And I feel the victims so much. Been there. Have encountered people who love to boss around, pick on others, slander, and all sortsa things that really test a person's patience. Twas the toughest, I must say.


Interestingly, at least based on my experience, whenever I retaliated, or just slightly avenged myself, or even just entertained the idea of getting back... I come out so WRONG. And, of course, I felt bad. I asked God why does it seem unfair? Others can and I can't. People do nasty things to me, and I must just let it pass. Let go. For some time I allowed excuses to allow me be the bad version of me. I told myself it's just but fair if I be a mirror to people. How they treat me is how I treat them. Thought it's a fairly good solution to the difficulty I was faced with.


Eventually, I was placed in a situation where I screwed up badly. I broke hearts ..... and God's heart. :(  I failed terribly. I looked at how a mess I was. And during that time, I felt I deserve NOTHING. Especially, not God's love. It brought so much emptiness in me. I knew in my heart I can't live without God. I knew what's wrong. And I thought I was so trapped ...as if there's no escape. Was looking for ways how I can redeem myself. But, God's love is truly unfailing. He proved me this. It's been hard for me to understand what grace means because I was simply like many people who have a wrong mindset ― that for as long as I am carefully following rules, am good. Am safe. God taught me, it's not about my performance. It's not about how many rules I successfully followed. It's all about His love. This I learned when I came to a point when I can't anymore list down a good thing about me. A time when I started to just keep referring to what I had done in the past but can't anymore do. I gave myself a bragging right to take credits only because I performed pretty well.


While I was erring, I noticed how I was so forgiving of myself. I told myself excuses like what the world allows everyone to use, "am only human". And a lot more other excuses there is. Including, "God has forgiven me, who cares who doesn't?" And, "who's not sinning?" All rationalization just so to bail me out of the errors I committed. Yeah, I was so forgiving of my failures and weaknesses. Although, there's guilt haunting me time and again.


All of us are so forgiving of our own mistakes, failures, sins, errors... none of us keep punishing ourselves for what wrongs we have done. That's how we are to ourselves. And that is because we have natural love for ourselves. We attend to our needs and we allow ourselves room to grow. We break a vase, we can simply forget about it when we don't realize how that vase could mean so much to its owner. Yet, we can let go easily and sleep soundly at night. The owner, on the other hand, could still be feeling upset but setting aside emotion because relationship is more important than the harm done. We almost never consider that. It could mean less to us because it's (the vase) not ours. And, yet when the same thing is done to us, we feel their same emotion. We realize that it's hard to trust again once trust is broken. In most cases, we can't anymore entrust the things we value most to the person who's careless in handling what to us is precious because we're kinda sure they're not gonna be responsible in taking care of it.


From looking at both sides, I got the answer to my question. Jesus added "as you love yourself" because like I mentioned earlier, we are forgiving of ourselves. We don't allow ourselves be weighed down by a mistake we committed no matter how small or big. Most, if not all, simply just shrug it off and say, "I'll just make up for it"...not realizing that we had probably broken something that's irreparable (once damaged) but very valuable to the one who owns it.


Those relationships that had gone bad...there's always someone wrong and someone wronged. And the one wronged almost always readily extend forgiveness for the sake of the relationship. So many say, it's martyrdom... it's stupid...it's madness... but, it's actually a reflection of how they love themselves. They readily forgive because they know they're forgiving of themselves. They understand that humans are prone to choosing to do wrong. They're not exemptions. So are their partners.


When God persisted in loving me, I realized what sacrifice He had to do and how painful it is to keep allowing Himself be wronged simply because He wants me. There's nothing so magnificent about me that He should want me, but He does. Period. He didn't require me to be anyone but myself. My messed self. And, the more amazing thing about Him, He is fully aware of my weaknesses and susceptibility to committing the same things but is still willing to trust me. He still has faith in me that I will do as Jesus did. God places more importance in His relationship with me than His right. That ignited my desire to extend grace, love and compassion to people. Especially to the unlovable.

The way God is so tolerant of my failings makes Him suffer for taking in all my mess. I always offend Him. And one of the terrible ways I offend Him is whenever I live in doubt and unbelief. Whenever I don't live in faith as if He's not true to His Word. And I know that if a close friend or a family member will not take me for my word, I'd really feel insulted and hurt. So, I know that God is badly hurt whenever I do wrong. And He sacrifice His feelings just so to maintain a relationship with me. He's been running after me. He's always waiting for me to come back. He never gave up on me. And He does all these things in spite of me.


Those times when I hurt God, though, I feel bad and guilty...I still am very forgiving of myself regardless how the crimes I committed may be unforgivable. If I am forgiving of myself, I must be forgiving of others because that's one way of obeying the command, "love your neighbor as yourself".

Behind My Mask

“I like interesting myself in the lives of others. God put these people in my life for a reason. Maybe for my learning. Hopefully to help them. I like it when I can help. My heart aches for those who suffer and walk a difficult path.”

What compassion I have for people is from God and He is the One sustaining me and giving me the ability to extend a helping hand to those who are in need and asking in humility for help. It is a privilege to serve others because in doing so I am serving God. But, I can never do it with my own strength. God makes sure that I am equipped. He has prepared me for the tasks. I am strong because He gives me strength. ^_^

Let lemons be lemons.

“As you go about your daily life, you will encounter many lemons. Sour expressions, sour attitudes, sour auras! The good thing is that if you don't want to be a lemon, you don't have to be! Just don't let those lemons rub themselves all over you! And you don't even have to save them!” ―  C. JoyBell C.

Am reminded of this person who commented on one of my FaceBook wall posts. He was boldly insisting that it's impossible for people to love unconditionally because only GOD can do that. He strongly believes that NO ONE can love like how God loves. Well, that's his. I respect his belief. On my end, however, I have strong belief that it is possible because like what the Word says, "everything is possible to those who believe"... and "we can do all things through Christ Who gives us strength". From these verses, loving unconditionally is possible BUT requires a lotta faith. NOT on self but on God's grace.

I see the point of this person, actually. It's hard to love. At least, it's hard to go on loving. It seems to get tougher and tougher as you get to know and understand the nature of every single person you're in a relationship with. And am not talking about romantic relationship. This is about "relationship" in and of itself. Fact is, most of the time, the hardest to love are the people closest to you. Maybe because they don't see the need to be gentle, or kind, or nice, or polite... They think everything can be just ok. You've grown too familiar. They think they know you enough because of the long-standing togetherness. There's so many factors, actually, and one is LABELING.

Often, we THINK we KNOW, but we really don't. So many times, we readily assume how a person's like just because we've been with them, experienced them, spent time with them. And this is true even within family. Each one has their own perception of another person or a situation. It's not always that the truth of one agrees with the truth of another. And these two don't necessarily match the real truth. There can even be another truth from another's eyes, if you come to think of it. But from this springs disharmony in many cases. There are so many truths that come forward, which only cause confusion. Whose voice is worth listening to? Is this even the deciding factor?

What am I saying? I don't know, too. I'm smack dab in the middle. I strive to have unconditional love, but it makes it hard for me to love when around certain people who don't even choose to give even an itsy-bity love. Or at least make themselves a lil easier to love. Which makes me remember what the person I mentioned earlier said in his comment...it is IMPOSSIBLE to love unconditionally. For how can you really say you're loving unconditionally if everyone around you is willing to love back ...or is loving you back? Meaning they'll not make you walk on eggs doing so. This makes me realize that what hinders people from loving this way is the want... the need... the longing... the desire to be loved. Everyone is after receiving. And even those who are full of love and are generous in giving love also want, need, long and desire love and everything else that comes with it ― appreciation, understanding, encouragement... just to name a few ― but, like what they say, the one who loves more often receives less. 

I mentioned labeling because most of the time, we automatically attach a label or a tag on people. Of course, there's always a basis...and they're usually valid. Then, we live believing these tags forgetting there's also a word "progress". When you're being judged, criticized, condemned... loving becomes a can of worms. Countless times I've been harsh with a few number of people. Made assumptions as to who they really are. Lived believing I know much about them. And countless times, I've been treated harshly by umpteen number of people. Was assumed to be the person they created in their minds ...and they believe they really know me enough to define me.

Being in both sides cyclically, I grow more in compassion. Am not gonna deny that there are many times I simply just wanna stop my aim to have unconditional love and just accept that yeah, maybe it's only God Who really can. Truth is, I am convinced that it could only be a vain attempt. I'd bruise and wound myself doing so...for what?!!! And then I'd be reminded of Colossians 3:23..."in whatever you do, do it as if you're doing it for God and not for men."  This doesn't necessarily make it easier, but it turns my focus where it should really be.

For me what makes unconditional love obtainable is not being in the right set of people. Not surrounding myself with lovable individuals and discard the rest. It is by looking at how loved I am by God, my Creator. The Creator of ALL human race. Am sure He didn't make a mistake having created the despicable ones ― the haters, the bullies, the judgmental, the gossips, etc. I constantly remind myself that if I love God, I should have love and respect for all people because they're all HIS creations. I can't and shouldn't allow myself detest anyone because it's also detesting God's grand plan. For whatever reason certain people are the way they are is not anymore my problem. It's God's. Complaining about or resenting them is telling God He did a huge mistake. What about me? If I am to intently look at myself, I must say HE did make a mammoth! I must firstly look at how faulty I am before I bellyache about how so many people are undeserving of love. I am humbled because apart from God, I am nothing. I don't take credit for the untold good I did. Am just like everyone else ― flawed. And, jumping down anyone's throat is practically saying I'm in the clear or at least, relatively...when that only makes me self-righteous.

Self-righteousness is telling yourself you're far better than others because you've done more good and less evil than most people you know. There's a basis for comparison and it's the sins of others against your own. Only, this isn't God's basis. God's thoughts and ways are simply a far cry from ours. Like night and day. And if I may take credit for the zillion good I did in my lifetime, I could probably have more rewards than others. But, of course, still nothing that squares with what the likes of Mother Teresa had done. Simply put, I ...and all of us must have a proper estimation of ourselves.

Loving unconditionally and having compassion for others aren't farfetched. But, require humility and an honest estimation of self. Whenever I find it hard to love anyone because of a blemish...mostly attitude / behavior problem... sins... I look at my own grubbiness. It's only when you have an honest assessment of who you really are apart from God that you'll start having the compassion of Jesus. Then, you'll start seeing all God's creations through His Eyes. By looking at myself and acknowledging how hopeless I am yet still trying to be an inch better by the day... I can assume that people, too, are in my same boat. Just with different challenges and struggles.

“Christians must treat their enemies as 
brothers, and requite their hostility with love.
Their behavior must be determined not by the
way others treat them, but by the treatment
they receive from God.”

― The Cost of Discipleship

“Having Christian convictions can’t ever negate having Christ’s compassion.”

“Everyone is a resource. They serve a purpose. You serve a purpose. I compartmentalized all of you. You are here to prop me up, to tear me down, to straighten my spine, to lighten the load. To be my carrier pigeon, my work horse, my lover, my fighter, my friend, my enemy.”
―  Christopher Gutierrez

There was a time in my life when I was trying to place things where I thought they should belong. Set rules and lived around them. Was strictly following each one. Y'know, like always be on the right side of the corridors, never stray away from the sidewalk, be polite especially to the elders... I even made rules for myself. I didn't unnecessarily expect others to be loyal to basic rules. In fact, I was considerate enough to take them as they are with no complaints. O'course, there were times I asked myself why are some people the way they are? Guess it's part of my being a RULE-person. Was thinking too much that I was trying to rationalize how come certain people don't act the same way as I do. Especially growing up in a Christian community, I had expectations of everyone around me. Not big ones. Just what I thought Christians should be like. 

What's good about me being that girl with many rules in mind, I didn't force them on anyone. God's been really faithful that He gave me wisdom not to impose on anyone what I THOUGHT "should be". Growing up, I kinda have this idea that I am not anyone's writer...definitely not their creator. Which, helped me respect their design. Being this observant girl, I noticed there are people who don't care about others... they are just about themselves. I learned about bullies even at an early age (when bully wasn't still a common term). Some people are naturally timid. Some fearful. Some are indifferent. Some are naturally kind. People vary. People have different personalities. At times, I can't understand what's the point of being around this diversity. And, many times, I wished I have the option to choose which kinds I want to be surrounded by. Sadly, it isn't possible. I can always try...but will always be in vain.

It's far more convenient if we're given the choice to pick the kinds of person we want to stick with us. No hassles. We can just throw away whoever doesn't belong or doesn't meet our standard. But, isn't that a character flaw? A bratty attitude? How can we mature in every area of our being if all that's before us are only things that we find pleasurable? How can we learn what LOVE really means according to God's definition of it if we're surrounded by only loveable people? In fact, the Word tells us to "love one another" (John 13:34) ...it didn't tell us to be choosy in who we want to love. In other parts of the Bible, we're even instructed to "be tolerant with one another" (Colossians 3:13) and to "carry each others burdens" (Galatians 6:2). Why should there be instructions like these if we are to mingle only with people who we can get along with? The challenge of Jesus' commandment comes when unloveable people are in our midst. Are we gonna follow HIS commandment or are we gonna complain why God created too many malfunctioning individuals and placed them in our paths? 

We've been occupied by judging the sins of others around us that are pretty more evident than ours that we fail to judge our own character and attitude. We even quarantine ourselves from them ― trying to isolate ourselves from being contaminated by their filthiness...forgetting that Jesus did not isolate Himself. HE called sin SIN and sinners SINNERS yet not with judgment but with HOPE that they will one day become the persons God intends them to be. Jesus walked here on Earth. The same contaminated world where we currently are. But, in stead of the world infecting HIM, HE infected the world. He said, “I did not come into the world to judge people. I came to save the people in the world." (John 12:47, ERV) We are not created to save people. But, we are instructed to be "imitators of Christ" (Ephesians 5:1). Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave himself for us—a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God (v2).  

Of'times, I ask myself why many Christians remain self-righteous pointing fingers at others only because those people are struggling with certain sins. Why aren't they seeing through God's Eyes? Why are they still living like the Pharisees who are mostly into rules and regulations that are so hard for humans to follow because they are by nature sinners? Why, instead of helping people be released from sin, guilt and shame...they are the ones causing them to get stranded in that mire?  Why, as Christians, we're still surprised that other Christians are struggling with sin? Aren't we reading the Word? Have we not yet realized that even Jesus' apostles struggled in unbelief and many other sins even when Jesus was walking with them? Jesus even knew about what to take place but allowed them to commit those mistakes ― Peter denied Jesus, Judas betrayed Him, etc. ― Because HE wasn't focused on the sin but on the fulfillment of His own purpose. It's actually interesting how Jesus even told Judas, “What you will do—do it quickly!” (John 13:27, ERV) 

Jesus walked on Earth without making it hard for people to live the Christian life. HE set the standard with HIS life as an example. HE allowed them to be their selves, and change at their own pace while growing in the love of God. It is God's love fully experienced that causes changed lives. When all we do is highlight how wrong people are, we're only pressuring them to be what we THINK they ought to be NOT what God wants them to be. When we do not stop judging and condemning, all we'll end up creating is a place of hypocrisy ― people wearing masks for fear they will not have anywhere to go to.

We are on a contaminated planet. It is contaminated on every level. It should have been quarantined from Heaven. No reasonable God would go near it with a ten-foot pole. But, Jesus is not a reasonable God. He became a human being. HE took on your uncleanliness and mine. In stead of the world infecting Him, He infected the world.  

The final breakthrough to fellowship does not occur because, though they have fellowship with one another as believers and as devout people, they do not have fellowship as the undevout...as sinners. The pious fellowship permits no one to be a sinner. So, everybody must conceal his sin from himself and from the fellowship. We dare not be sinners. Many Christians are unthinkably horrified when a real sinner is suddenly discovered among the righteous. So, we remain alone with our sin, living in lies and hypocrisy. The fact is that we are sinners. 
― Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg

It is not a question how big or small your sin may be. The Word says, "whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." (James 2:10) There is no other way to call "breaking a commandment" but SIN. Almost every second, we break Christ's commandment ― "love one another" (John 13:34) ― by judging others. By making Christianity hard for them. Are we just gonna watch a person while he drowns and just state how wrongly he made choices that's why he's drowning? Do spiritual quarantine because they're contaminated and they might infect us? Do we really underestimate the power of Christ in us that we fear we're powerless in fighting temptation? That we're afraid of leprosy...of germs? Jesus healed. And Jesus still heals...through Christians, His followers. Where are they? Where are His followers? Why are we Christians acting like Pharisees and Sadducees isolating ourselves from sinners in order to be set apart? Isn't our righteousness from Christ alone? Aren't we justified because of Jesus' death on the Cross of Calvary? And...aren't we sinners? Christians are saints who sin. Not entirely by choice but because by nature humans are. For as long as we're in the flesh, we cannot separate ourselves completely from sin. It's an every second denying of self, which everyone of us find hard to do. If our salvation is by grace then why aren't we gracious to those who are badly in need of it? What about Jesus' commandment?

Is't because someone's a stealer does it make you far better because you're only struggling with temperament? Your neighbor's an adulterer and you're just a gossip? Someone you know's a murderer and you're only a sluggard? 

"God sees with utter clarity who we are. HE is undeceived as to our warts and wickedness. But when God looks at us, that's not all HE sees. He also sees who we are intended to be, who we will one day become."   

Let's see through HIS Eyes. Let's infect this contaminated world with love...not with judgment...not with hate...not with self-righteousness... "In Jesus, we see that true spirituality always makes a person more approachable, not less. It is in the act of touch that we become most present and real to each other."

 

"Everyday you and I walk through God's shop. Everyday, we brush up against objects of incalculable worth to Him. People. Every one of them carries a price tag, if only we could see it."

  

*Quotes are from the book  Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg.