June 22 Love Enough

Luke 18:9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
 
THIS lesson is evident, isn’t it? God has no room in his house for people who think themselves more righteous or sinless than another. Such words as the Pharisee uttered will bring sure judgment. Even such words in our minds, unspoken from our lips is sin. God is righteous. We are not. Be humble to know your sin and to know your Savior.  
    Does this mean we are to be silent amid sins swarming around us? Do we refuse to correct people from their destructive habits? Certainly not. We cannot obey Jesus’ command to “make disciples” if we do not speak of his disciplines. We will reject, too, Jesus’ command to “love your neighbors as yourself” if we allow people to unknowingly sin. Holding Scripture to ourselves, it becomes a selfish possession instead of God’s gracious gift that is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Remember these three points: 1) Someone has loved you enough to tell you wrong and right. 2) When someone corrects you, you receive their words with humility and submission. 3) Love others enough to guide them Jesus.
    Yes, I know it is common for people to reject your loving words with, “You are not my judge!” But this is another door opened for you. Simply respond with, “You are correct. I am not your judge. But I love you enough to prepare you to stand before the Judge of your eternal soul.”
 
Prayer: Lord God, holy and true, teach me each day to submit to your love, to speak your truth to guide people to your useful, true and saving Word. Amen.