Bible Studies
PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN'T THROW STONES
( Or should they ? )
"Judge not, that ye be judged. For with what judgment, ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again". ( Matthew 7:1-2)
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. If you are like most Americans, you probably grew up with this old proverb firmly planted in your heart, by your parents. Well, this old saying certainly rings true for the Christian community.
The basic meaning of this proverb is that you shouldn't criticize others for doing as you do. For instance, if you yourself have a certain characteristic (unpunctuality, for instance) you can't point it out in others.
A USA Today poll shows 72% of unchurched Americans agree that a God exists, but the same percentage says “the church is full of hypocrites.” 44% say Christians get on their nerves. People flat-out don’t like Christians
Once, I observed a small VW vehicle, swirling in and out of traffic. At one point the drivers imp patients displayed what I felt was an unchristian like attitude. The driver started waving a fist and mouthing certain questionable imperatives. The appalling element of this particular circumstance was that the back of his vehicle was plastered with enough sermon topic slogans last a preacher for months' I think you know what I'm talking about, here, as I have a feeling you've encountered a similar circumstance along the way.
However, instead of instantly demoting this personality as a failing Christian, I wonder how many of us would have prayed for the driver. Well, "guilty as charged", here.
The Bible teaches the truths of complaisant behavior, in a number of passages, such as; "Before you remove the mote from your brother's eye, see that you remove the beam from your own."
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye".( Matthew 7:3)
One prime example, in particular, is when the Scribes and Pharisees brought a women, caught in adultery, to Jesus. They did this to test Jesus in an effort to trick Him, so that they might have grounds for falsely accusing Him. As Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground, and stated, " He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her", all the accusers suddenly disappear.
Now, we don't know what Jesus wrote but obviously it worked as all the men vanished. ( John 8: 3-11).
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
I realize I'm probably writing to the choir here. However, I must admit, I have been "guilty- as- charged", on numerous occasions. Sometimes, it's much easier to see other people's failings than our own.
So, what's the solution? How can we, as a people who name the name of Christ, cope with this?
I once heard an old preacher say," If you have no personality before you are saved, then you will just be a Christian, with no personality after coming to Christ.
Let us then go to God's word, for our answer.
It's not that Christians are not to judge but that we are not to judge falsely.
The scripture reveals that not only Jesus, but the Apostles judged, as well. We are to rebuke a trespassing brother in Christ.In other words, Paul tells the church to not participate in the unlawful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Paul even told the Corinthians to establish church courts to judge disputes between believers.
To expound here, Paul tells us to rebuke. exhort, reprove and admonish sin.. Please read: (1 Timothy 5: 20). ( Titus 2:15) ( 2 Timothy 4:2) ( 1 Thes 5:14) ( Romans 5:14) ( Eph 5:11)
However, we should not judge "dishonestly or deceitfully. We should always judge others, the same as we judge ourselves. In other words, just take a good look in the "mirror of life". And, we should never judge from a human standpoint, only by God’s law.
Conversely, however, the scripture does tell us to be "fruit inspectors"
"By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles" ?( Matthew 7:16)
Enough said here about those preverbal " glass houses' As Christians, let us remove ourselves from those "glass houses" , go out into the "highways and by-ways" and witness to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Personal evangelism is how it's done, as follows:.
"So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it". ( Isaiah 55:11)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." ( Romans 5:15)
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." ( John 12:31)
Remember, As a Christian, we should witness with truth,honesty, and integrity, when given the opportunity or the Holy Spirit opens the door.
And, we should always be quick to respond with "holy boldness"
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged," 2 Timothy 2:4)
Amen !
.
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Chuck, you made some interesting points. We are often more eager to point out the shortcomings of others instead of looking at ourselves first.
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