Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 NLT
Expectations can really get us into trouble. Many times we perceive “faults” in others because we have set up in our minds how they “should” be acting or behaving. But how many times that we have fallen into offense over something someone else has done have we actually asked God His will and purpose in the situation and been still enough to hear His own answer and not or own mind’s anxious wanderings?How many times have we remembered that there is not any good in us (or “them” apart from Christ) — so that we might not set unreasonable expectations upon ourselves and others to be “faultless” in our eyes than can only see “dimly”, rather than understanding that God gives each a measure of faith, a specific gift and calling, and a purpose according to His plan?
When we have been forgiven so much, we shouldn’t be so quick to set up standards in our own minds that requires an admittedly imperfect people to fit into “our plan” of what things “should look like”.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Galatians 6:7-10 NLT
If we sow judgement and condemnation, we will reap the fruit that comes from such prideful seeds. But if we sow forgiveness and live, we will reap the fruit that comes from such humble and meek seeds.Lord, you provide the seed, but we must put our hand to the plow. We must till this soil and plant this Word of God into our hearts and share it with others so that faith will abound in those who have ears to hear. Your Word will accomplish what it was sent for, so we must send it.
Lord, help us send this seed to the farthest reaches, to every ear that will either pridefully reject or humbly repent. And Lord, help us to allow for the faults in others. Help us to forgive. Help us to do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith. Help us to not set unreasonable demands and heavy burdens in or own minds for ourselves or for others, but to be eager and grateful for whatever measure of faith we see being demonstrated in ourselves and others. Help us to run on wings like angels to share this Good News, content whether loved and appreciated and honored by others, or when they place demands or or oppression or abuse or mistreatment upon us. Let us make ourselves slaves of Christ alone, so that we can demand of ourselves mercy and love towards others, and see it flow freely like a river of refreshing waters. And even if we face false accusations or those who refuse to make alliance for or own faults, let us not speak except what you will tell us in that moment to speak. Help us to follow in your footsteps, Lord. Help us to walk with you wherever you would have us go. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 