Only By God's Grace
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 17:5
As a teenager, I learned a valuable lesson from my Vocational Agriculture Teacher, Mr. Dick. Several boys were making fun of another student that was mentally challenged. Mr. Dick pulled all of the students into his classroom and lectured us strongly about treating others fairly. His closing statement has stuck with me ever since - "But for the grace of God, there goes you".
And Solomon's verse drives the point home even harder. When we mock others, we are mocking our Creator. Who are we to laugh at God's creation? We don't understand His motive or purpose. And He made us as well. Which shows that we could have the same "quirks" as the ones we are mocking.
Solomon goes even further to caution us against enjoying other's calamities unless we, too , want to be punished. To often, I have heard "It serves them right" or "They had it coming". Don't we also? We are all sinners, saved by grace. We are no better than anyone in appearance or behavior. We may have been blessed to receive God's grace, but we were not worthy!
The next time you are tempted to mock or judge others, remember that God could have place you in their situation! Instead of mocking or judging, try thanking God that he spared you from the same experience.
Proverbs 17:5
As a teenager, I learned a valuable lesson from my Vocational Agriculture Teacher, Mr. Dick. Several boys were making fun of another student that was mentally challenged. Mr. Dick pulled all of the students into his classroom and lectured us strongly about treating others fairly. His closing statement has stuck with me ever since - "But for the grace of God, there goes you".
And Solomon's verse drives the point home even harder. When we mock others, we are mocking our Creator. Who are we to laugh at God's creation? We don't understand His motive or purpose. And He made us as well. Which shows that we could have the same "quirks" as the ones we are mocking.
Solomon goes even further to caution us against enjoying other's calamities unless we, too , want to be punished. To often, I have heard "It serves them right" or "They had it coming". Don't we also? We are all sinners, saved by grace. We are no better than anyone in appearance or behavior. We may have been blessed to receive God's grace, but we were not worthy!
The next time you are tempted to mock or judge others, remember that God could have place you in their situation! Instead of mocking or judging, try thanking God that he spared you from the same experience.
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