Recently I was chatting with a friend who was in the middle, even during the discussion, of seeing her funds being taken from her general banking account. Turns out the electronic theft amounted to close to $2,000. Understandably, she was perty upset. At one point, she called the thief a scumbag and it surprised me, since she sought to live a life that honors God. Of course, I think she regretted it as she spoke it, but it made me think!
To call someone a scumbag, I fear, sends off alarms.
Let me explain.
What separates me from this thief? Is it a matter of nature? Are Christians of a better nature, or inherently better? Without the Lord, would I not succumb to the desire of taking something someone else owns? I can’t say I would. Even as a believer, I find that desire welling up in me at times.
The human heart has a darkness to it that is constantly fighting to control the owner. Societal, cultural and familial pressures keep that darkness at bay for some of us, but it does not eradicate this tendency of self love. Even the believer, one who seeks God and desires a close walk with God will admit to a deep sense of sinfulness as they walk closer with the Lord.
…a judging spirit toward those who hurt me may signal a loss of sight of my own sinfulness.
Sensing this darkness, this willingness to wander is the issue. We are all thieves, but for the grace of God. My point today is that a judging spirit toward those who hurt me may signal a loss of sight of my own sinfulness.
For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. – 2Pe 1:9
Please don’t assume that I am justifying this thief’s actions! He should be caught, tried and given a just punishment by the proper authorities. Society is dependent on the rule of law.
Of course, judgment is defeated by mercy, and this is freely offered to each of us! We need to live in this sphere of mercy over judgment in order to live the life we are called to.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – Jas 2:13
My point is that we need to realize our dependency on the Lord for rescuing us from this dark desire, from this love of self that manifest itself in thievery, adultery, idolatry, murder and all such things that do not honor the God we serve.
And we need to remember who we are.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. – 2Corinthians 3:18
Who are we, that claim to trust the Living Savior? Sinners being saved by the Lord. Our holy God, sacrificed His perfect life for our wretched lives, in order to bring about souls transformed into a state of glory. And this glory, this transformation of the Lord consists of a humility of heart, of a realization of our weakness, and dependence on our God.
Behold the Lord. He is good, all the time.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
Considering the Bible 