He Dwells — The B'log in My Eye

Isn’t that quite a list. I have got to tell you, it is such a tremendous feeling knowing that in my atonement I have left all that deviant and perverse nonsense behind. I mean what was I thinking being wrapped-up in such trash. I most certainly was as Paul says, “deserving of death.” But what’s that last part Paul wrote — something about those who approve of those who practice such deeds? I don’t do that; I don’t approve of murder, and violence, and evil things, do I?

Therefore you are inexcusable…Romans 2:1a

I wasn’t ready for that. If I watch TV and movies that portray these activities, it effectively reveals that I am sympathetic to their cause — there’s no way to get around it. If I listen to gossip, rather than actually contribute, I am culpable. If the books I read portray corruption, I am blameworthy. If I opt to remain silent in full view of some depraved or immoral activity, I might as well be doing it myself. In my observances, and occasionally in my silence, I am slapping a big ol ‘Amen’ on everyone else’s sin.

Good Judge/Bad Judge

O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1b

Paul is going to continue and ultimately lay down two basic components of our faith: forgiveness and repentance. The good news is that by God’s grace, Christians are not condemned if they have done, or are doing, these things. However, as we grow in our devotion and commitment to Christ, there is a faithful expectation that we will turn from these things as God reveals them to be objectionable. If we choose to continue in them we are not jeopardizing our salvation necessarily, but we are laying the foundation for spiritual stagnation, frustration, and distress in our Christian walk.

It’s called compromise.

If your faith journey is blahzey, this might very well be the cause.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7

The issue that Paul wanted us to be most mindful of, in this our hypocritical condition, is that we do not find ourselves condemning others for the same behavior we errantly support. But don’t receive Paul’s communication inaccurately though — he’s not proclaiming, “don’t ever judge, ” but rather that we should never do it condemningly. The judgments we are called to pronounce are done in Christian love and for the purpose of identification and/or restoration.

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?