I’m too quick to criticize . . .

In the military there might be two men at bootcamp. One is learning what it takes to be a remarkable soldier and the other struggles to be capable. They do not act the same, but both are soldiers.

Being a Christian is something like that. We have been enlisted and we all are in boot camp, but the level of spiritual growth varies greatly. Each of us is a work in progress.

The church at Corinth was a work in progress too, with a few folks that needed further training! They had many problems and areas of incompetence. However, when Paul wrote to them, he didn’t start his letter with a reprimand. Instead, he focused on what they already were . . .

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:1–9)

I’d be tempted to jump all over them, but he listed their positives, settled issues they needed to hear:

Sanctified in Christ Jesus. They were set apart by and for God, ‘made holy’ — no matter their level of maturity, they belonged to Him.

Called to be saints. God enlisted them as His own ‘holy’ people, saints, a word is not reserved for super stars only. The Bible calls every believer in Jesus Christ a saint!

Together with everyone else who calls Jesus Lord. The Corinthians were disunited. Paul reminds them that in Christ they are spiritually united to all Christians in every place, part of the Body of Christ and in God’s army! As members of His family we belong to each other.

Share God’s grace. Grace is the undeserved, unearned blessing of God. He has no reason to bless anyone; He does it because of who He is.

Enriched in speech and knowledge. God gave these Christians the ability to speak as He opened their understanding of Him. This was also a gift of God, true for all believers.

Confirmed by their testimony. The confirmed their faith by declaring it. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Not lacking in any gift. God gave them everything they needed to live for Him, giving them no basis for arguing who was the greatest. What He gives has nothing to do with those receive it!

Waiting for Christ’s return. Those who believe in Jesus know He will return and are watching for Him and keeping themselves in readiness, not to be caught unaware.

Guiltless because of Jesus. Faith in Jesus removes all penalty for sin. Colossians 1:22 says, “He has now reconciled (His people) in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” No matter their sin prior to faith or their sin now as believers, God placed all of it on Christ and put the righteousness of Christ on them.

That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation . . . For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:19–21)

This church would not make the top ten list the way they were behaving, but they did have all they needed to become all that God intended. They needed to know that. Instead of making excuses or relying on their own wits, charm, abilities or whatever else they might have trusted, they were now accepted by God and equipped to do His will. God is amazing in His gracious love!

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, help me always remember to use Paul’s approach with those who seem to need a kick in the pants. For one thing, arguing over who is the best usually happens between those who feel inferior. Every Christian needs the reminder that we are all called by You, sanctified and blessed beyond our wretchedness. You take care of all we need, not only for the Christians at Corinth but for me. All glory to Your name!

Pulling out the roots . . .

I’m still thinking about the person who grumbled and criticized to the point I felt battered by negativity. This morning I began to question my own faith. However, the Holy Spirit is reminding me of the promises of God and how much He has done in my life.

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." (Hebrews 12:15)

The grumbler allowed this ‘root of bitterness’ to spring up. It causes trouble (a Greek word for annoying or harassing others). It also defiles. That word means being marked, stained or discolored with foreign matter. That is how I feel; harassed and discolored. What can I do about this?

Tozer’s words for today hint at answers. At first reading, it seemed he edited his thoughts too much, that he was giving only an outline when I need a full discourse. God whispers to me that I know how to fill it out and not to expect the solution dumped on me without spending time with Him.

Tozer writes: “Harmony within our own hearts depends mostly upon our getting into harmony with God. Morning comes not by our pushing out the darkness but by waiting for the coming of the sun.”

Waiting on God is easy when the days are smooth and without stress. Today I realize just how selfishly I want comfort rather than doing something to erase the tension from ‘roots of bitterness’ that are harassing me.

Tozer writes that whatever may be wrong in the life of any church may be cleared up by recognizing the quality of the trouble and dealing with it at the root. This seems true of individual believers as well. I’ve often confessed symptoms only to have the sin problem resurface. God helps with symptoms but His cure is for the disease, the root of it. Therefore I need to ask myself hard questions.

The most challenging question is this: Am I upset with this person because I sometimes do what he did — grumble instead of being thankful, complain instead of appreciating all that God is doing? How often do I use criticism to bring down others in an effort to be ‘better’ than them? Even my being upset with this man could be evidence of my own spiritual pride.

Tozer says prayer, humility and a generous application of the Spirit of Christ will cure just about anything. We try carnal medicines for our body and psychology for our souls, neglecting the grace God gives, grace that will overcome our sin and weaknesses. He is right. Grace is always the need and the answer. I just need to get on my knees before the throne and ask for it.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:12–14)

^^^^^^^^^

Lord, I understand. This is a challenge to express in writing, yet You know my heart and hear my prayers. Thank You for mercy, grace, healing and holiness. All I need is in You.

Can a person be too nice?

This week someone at his workplace told my husband that he is ‘too nice’ and needs to be ‘tougher’ to get work out of people. While some are convinced more flies are caught with honey, this person believes more flies are caught with a fly swatter. The problem with that is that the flies are destroyed. In this analogy the goal is not to kill the flies but get them buzzing.

Being good to people may or may not raise their production, but in the sight of God, anyone who can remain gracious at all times definitely has the attitude He wants.

“So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:16–19)

I’ve failed that attitude test many times. The most recent was during a few short days in the hospital. At first, I was in the ER. On the other side of the curtain I could hear a woman telling the medical staff all her symptoms, only to spurn every solution they wanted to give her. She was ‘allergic’ to this medicine and had ‘already tried’ that one and it ‘didn’t work.’ Nothing was acceptable. Finally, she asked for a sandwich. A nurse brought her one. After she ate it, she got up and left. As she walked by the end of my curtained-off area, I could see a big smirk on her face.

I asked a nurse how they could be so kind and patient with a person like that. I wanted to get up and go give the woman a smack on the side of the head. Obviously, I did not pass the gracious attitude test.

Sometimes Christians behave in godly ways that others do not regard as good. In those verses from Romans, the topic was whether believers should get picky about the behavior of other Christians. This seems a no-brainer, but some of us can get in a knot over the silliest things, everything from what day we should celebrate communion to what color we should paint the foyer. I’ve heard criticism against a person who visited his sick father rather than come to prayer meeting, and against families who decide to home-school their children. The point of these verses is that we do whatever will maintain peace and build others up rather than tear them down.

Romans 14 also suggest another angle, that when criticized for doing good we do not retaliate and make an issue out of it. The entire chapter looks at both sides of contentions. How does a critical person act? And how does a criticized person act? My hubby could have told his coworker to take a hike, or to mind his own business, or whatever, but that would be making a lie out of the very thing he was accused of being — too nice.

Tozer sums up these thoughts with: “I think God looks beyond the situation to the spirit and attitude. I think He is more concerned with how we react to abuse and mistreatment than to the fact that someone has abused us . . . Will you reveal a stubborn spirit intent upon revenge? If you resist the Spirit of God asking you to demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus Christ, your Savior, you can be sure of one thing: God will resist you!”

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Jesus, as always, You are the example. Isaiah says You were oppressed and afflicted yet did not open Your mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so You opened not Your mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) I know there are times when You might charge me to make a defense, but even then, my attitude and desire needs be stuck on ‘nice’ and on making peace that builds up others. Every day, You challenge me and remind me that changes are still needed.