There are many truths in life and one of which is our dealings with other people's failure.
In our generation (and even in the past), people are quick to judge. We (yes i am not exempted on this) are harsh on others. Am i right or am i right?
And the TRUTH is we don't have any right to judge!!!!
Why? Because judging are acts of people who think highly about themselves.
In John 8:1-15, Jesus has to deal with two things: (1)woman caught in the act of adultery and (2) face the group of people trying to trap Him.
I read it again and again since it is our topic in our Bible Study Cell. I wonder why the pharisees only got one person when in fact the act of adultery's between two persons. So i read again....and oh its a TRAP.
As I've said, normal people judged quickly. And the spirit-filled One are wise in thoughts and actions, just what Jesus is.
So do we deal with someone else's failures?
1. Don't attach labels
People sell branded clothes, bags, accessories and the like and they earn from it. When we judge, are we earning from it? We somehow call a person by their looks and acts...we secretly call them "the loveless", "the heart-breaker", "the proud" etc.
Notice how the pharisees address the woman in front of so many people and Jesus, they called her "the adulterer".
We quickly judge and never give the person a chance to change. We close possibilities for change. We forgot what Jesus said on 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away..." What if we think first before we judge? But this somehow doesn't happen eh. We thoughts of the failure first and not their future.
We should not attach labels. Just like Jesus, show grace and compassion.
2. Always remember there are two sides to every story
Let us not be one-sided. I am thankful and grateful that my God is a God of balance. He is both fair and just. Can we not give the person a chance to reason? We are not God that we can search and know what is in the heart of another person. We must not judge even though we know the story.
3. Don't use embarrassment
We don't have any right to humiliate others. Let us be considerate as to their feelings. They too have dignity that they wanted to protect we just have to respect that. Notice how the pharisees brought the woman with lots of people witnessing or looking...its a total humiliation. What we should do instead is to help them get up and bring them nigh to the Lord who is able to change a person's life...a new one in Jesus.
4. Never separate confrontation with care
Jesus said, "I don't condemn you..." this is CARE. And He also said, "Go and sin no more..." this is CONFRONTATION. I believe that what He said was coated with love and mercy towards the woman.
"Let us be a vessel of God's grace to weak people rather than a rod of judgment"
We too commit mistakes.
We are not perfect.
We are not exempt from being judge by other people.
But we should not do unto them what they do to us. That is being different.
That is being TRULY CHANGED in Christ.
Loving Jesus,
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