This is something that has been bothering me lately and tugging on my heart; Christians looking down on other Christians because of their past or appearance, or Christians looking down on baby Chrisitans for their lack of knowledge.
What are you doing?! Who are you to look down on another servant of God? "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." -Romans 14:4
Whether someone is new in the faith or not, you have no right judging them without reason. Someone may say, "But did you see what that guy came in church wearing? Who comes to church in jeans and a t-shirt?!". Who are you to judge this man based on his appearance? For all you know he lost his job and has no money for nice church clothes. Will you reject this man because he's not "dressed to impress"? What if God used the standards you use on others, would YOU make it to heaven in that case? That's something to think about!
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." -John 7:24
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." -1 Samuel 16:7
And there are some of you probably reading this who refuse to open your ears to a young man or woman when they speak of God simply because of their young age. Maybe you feel that they're too inexperienced in life to teach you anything. If David, who is believed to have been just a teen when he slew goliath had a message to share with you, would you refuse to listen because of his age? "He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him." (1 Samuel 17:42) Of coarse knowing who David turned out to be, your answer is no! But are you humble enough to listen to a young person anointed by God today?
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." -Matthew 18:10
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." -1 Timothy 4:12
And last but not least, there are many of you who have turned from the grace of God into self-righteousness. You have forgotten who you once were without God's grace, and you are now counting on your own "righteousness" to get you into Heaven! I've got news for you; not ONE is righteous on their own, because righteousness comes from the LORD. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." -Romans 3:22
Works is a result of faith in Jesus Christ. However, works is not what will save you! What saves us on judgment day is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, repenting (turning) from our sins, and being born again. THIS is what makes us righteous!
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." -Ephesians 2:8-9
If after reading this you realize you have been a self-righteous and/or judgmental Christian, this is your chance to come to God right now and ask Him for forgiveness. You can pray this prayer;
"Dear Father in Heaven, I realize now that I've been living in a self-righteous way. Counting on my own "goodness" instead of relying on Your goodness, Your strength, and Your grace. I realize I have been judging others unrighteously, and looking down upon others without good reason. I humbly come before you asking that You forgive me for these things, and that You remove all self-righteousness from my life. I ask that You cleanse me of any way that is dishonoring to You Lord. Thank You for your unfailing love, mercy and grace. Help me to love others, be merciful to others, and accept others as You have accepted me Lord. I ask this in Jesus Name, amen."
God bless you!
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