September 15

“Anyone who has ever lived his own life knows that he does not really mean himself well.  We destroy ourselves by grabbing, because we cannot give.  The love of God is a totally giving love.”  Eugenia Price, S.P.S., 9/10

It’s the same thing that happens when we spoil a child.  We claim we are loving them by giving them everything they want, or not pointing out their faults to them.  Some parents think they are building up their children and encouraging them by never offering criticism.  But anyone who has ever been around a spoiled child knows just how awful the effect of such parenting has on everyone else!  This is why we must “take up our cross” and “deny ourselves”.  If we give in to our every whim and desire we are spoiling ourselves.  We are making ourselves unfit for the kingdom of God.  We will throw tantrums every time things don’t go our way.  As parents it is our job to teach our children self-discipline.  We do this by setting limits and giving guidance.  If this isn’t done with love, however, rebellious children are driven further into rebellion.  God has provided a way for us to have self-discipline and has done it with the utmost love--Jesus Christ.  Because of His sacrifice we now have the Holy Spirit to guide us and enable us to live a self-sacrificing life--a life that gives and receives and never takes.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”  Luke 6:37, 38

January 3

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”  Paul to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 6:1)

What is it about the human nature that the faults of others can tempt us?  Is it our need to belong?  Are we so needy that we will lower our standards just to be accepted?  I do remember in high school being “ashamed” of my grades--not because they were bad, but because they were so good my fear was that my peers would be jealous and not like me.  Thankfully, this did not prevent me from striving to do my very best, but it did cause me to hold part of myself back.  This set me apart, but as a teenager, not in a good way.  I felt odd and left out.  Once I was an adult I found myself becoming critical of others in an attempt to make myself OK for being different.  My standards were always higher and therefore my life showed it.  My higher standards were often mistaken for arrogance, and truthfully, sometimes it was.  But as I look back I know now it was my attempt to compensate for not being accepted.  Now that I’ve matured and have seen more clearly I understand this verse in Galatians where we are told to be careful when we correct someone lest we too be tempted.  I believe the temptation is not to commit their trespass but instead the trespass of arrogance--believing we are above sin ourselves.  

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For that measure you give will be the measure you get back.”  Luke 6:37-38