Role Reversal
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
It is so easy for us to judge others! Human nature causes me to look down my nose and condemn others. Often, we do not know what led them to be in that situation or the conditions surrounding their case. But with my haughty spirit, I don't care - it is obvious what the problem is and they should be ashamed of themselves! Have you ever had such an attitude toward someone? It is a pity that we think we know it all when we can't see the heart of the individual - only God can. And only God should judge.
How quickly your attitude changes when the roles are reversed! It doesn't matter what chain of events got you there. But you wind up in a similar situation and do you feel ashamed. My first response is humiliation. Because I am initially more concerned about what others will think. I know in my heart what I had thought of others in the same situation. What a shame. Then I came to my senses and ask forgivness from God for my previous thoughts.
Jesus provides us a parable in Mathew 18:23-35 of the exact same situation where an individual's roles were reversed. And the basis of the parable? Forgiving those who sin against you. Look closely at the last verse: "So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Matt 18:35)
Ouch! A little bit more harsher of a role reversal where your eternal life hangs in the balance! So as we go through our day, let us demonstrate the love of God and forgivness to others. At home, in the car or the work-place, we have multiple opportunities to show God's forgivness to others in how we handle the insults and injustices thrown our way. Each and every one is an opportunity to reverse the evil with good.
It is so easy for us to judge others! Human nature causes me to look down my nose and condemn others. Often, we do not know what led them to be in that situation or the conditions surrounding their case. But with my haughty spirit, I don't care - it is obvious what the problem is and they should be ashamed of themselves! Have you ever had such an attitude toward someone? It is a pity that we think we know it all when we can't see the heart of the individual - only God can. And only God should judge.
How quickly your attitude changes when the roles are reversed! It doesn't matter what chain of events got you there. But you wind up in a similar situation and do you feel ashamed. My first response is humiliation. Because I am initially more concerned about what others will think. I know in my heart what I had thought of others in the same situation. What a shame. Then I came to my senses and ask forgivness from God for my previous thoughts.
Jesus provides us a parable in Mathew 18:23-35 of the exact same situation where an individual's roles were reversed. And the basis of the parable? Forgiving those who sin against you. Look closely at the last verse: "So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Matt 18:35)
Ouch! A little bit more harsher of a role reversal where your eternal life hangs in the balance! So as we go through our day, let us demonstrate the love of God and forgivness to others. At home, in the car or the work-place, we have multiple opportunities to show God's forgivness to others in how we handle the insults and injustices thrown our way. Each and every one is an opportunity to reverse the evil with good.
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