For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet He did not sin. ~Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
Jesus understands us when nobody else does. He even understands us when we don’t understand ourselves. He knows the “why” behind what we are doing and saying because He sees everything past, present, and future and He has insight into what motivates us whether it be faith or fear. People only see what they want to for the most part. Our perspective is skewed and is often self-centered. That is why Jesus said take the log out of your own eye before you start looking for the spec in your brother’s eye. He knew our carnal nature bent us to being critical and judgmental. We all wonder and question why others aren’t getting it right. We all concern ourselves with things that God says are His business, not ours. The Lord wants us to spend less time examining others and their “issues” and more time examining our motivations and actions. He sees and remembers all the emotional wounds and bruises we have experienced. He knows what we were created for, and He knows the temperament that was given to us in our mother’s womb. He understands our weaknesses—every fear, every insecurity, every doubt, and all of our wrong thinking. The Lord has promises to love us and hold us up no matter what we do or where we find ourselves when we turn to Him for help. That is why He wants us to get our eyes off others and on Him. It is sin in our lives unchecked and unrepented that makes us so miserable. The Lord can use our wrong thinking and wrong actions to draw us to Him if we let Him, but if we choose to rebel against what we know is right, we will find ourselves far away from the presence of the Lord. That is exactly what happened to Cain after he killed his brother Abel. Instead of repenting, he became bitter and resentful. This caused generations of misery for himself and his family.
Once we put our faith in the Lord, He begins a process of restoration in our lives that will not be entirely finished until we are face to face with Him. One by one He restores to us everything the enemy has stolen from us. Jesus said He came to set the captives free, and part of that freedom is the release of bondage to judging and critiquing how others live their lives. He wants us to be restored so we can bring restoration. He gives us His perspective and it opens us to a new way of thinking and living. When He does, we must remember to aggressively resist the legalistic attitudes that condemn us and others for not being enough, doing enough or having enough. Those attitudes break us down and tear apart relationships. Jesus says, "we are ok and we are on our way". He understands us, He loves us unconditionally, and He is committed to working with us through the Holy Spirit—and He does not condemn us during the process. If you have chosen to acknowledge your sin and repent and you have put your trust in the Lord, He is working in your life right now, making you the person He created you to be, for His good purpose. He is doing the same thing for the people He has placed in your life so lift them up to God and remember that restoration is a process!
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. ~Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Have you discovered confession and repentance to be your very best friends?
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