How often do we as Christians feel we are superior to other people. That we have the answer (which we have), but we need to impose it on others around us? That we have to tell people how to live, and rebuke them for doing or not doing something?

It also comes back to a previous post I made about how hard it was for me to go back to my previous church, and then to sit there and openly judge them…

Here is what Paul says about it…

Romans 14:1 (The Message)

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

I don’t know about you, but this is quite a challenge for me sometimes, as I will sit in conversation with some of our friends or old school friends, and I will sit there and think to myself, “hypocrites”. Um, buddy, you are the hypocrite if you are going to treat people that way.

Here is another passage from Romans 14 on where it will and might leave you for thinking/doing this

Romans 14:10-12

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:

“As I live and breathe,” God says,
“every knee will bow before me;
Every tongue will tell the honest truth
that I and only I am God.”
So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

Now, a question that comes up in my mind while reading this is, that at what stage must you then start to share the Good News with these people? For me, it is living your life as holy as possible, and let the other people see it. If what I am doing, is correct and in line with my beliefs, then they will inevitably see the difference in my life to theirs, and maybe, just maybe come and speak with me on the matter.

I have been living as a two faced hypocrite for very long in my life, and the last couple of years has been a big eye opening time for me as far as this specific matter goes, and I only praise the Lord for saving me from myself and my worldly ways.

He can do the same for you, if you would just let Him!