Psalm 51:10, New Living Translation

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”

There is not one sin that is greater than another apart from blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I share this out of a loving concern for us all that we do not pass judgement on one another. This is dangerous, because we are putting ourselves in the position of God. Paul was addressing the church in Rome when he said, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:1-4, NLT)

I had read this scripture in my one-year Bible reading plan just the other day. This scripture really pierced my heart. I don’t want to share this from a place of condemnation, but out of love to check our hearts. David cried out to the Lord, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NLT) I never want to put myself in God’s place. I want to humbly bring myself before God and allow Him to change me from the inside out. Out of love for the Lord and love for others, we need to keep our hearts before the Lord and make sure we are right with Him. Out of a love/love relationship with our Father, should flow love to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Instead of judging others, we lovingly need to point out the sin and help them overcome. I do not recommend going up to the individual and just pointedly telling them they are a sinner and sinning against God. Please, keep this in prayer and approach how God would reveal to you to approach the individual. Galatians 6:1-2 (NLT) says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.  Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Jesus explains in Matthew 18:15-18 (NLT), “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.  But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

We, as the church, are meant to build each other up and to encourage each other. We, as the church, are to help prepare one another for the day of Christ’s return. I believe this is why God placed this on my heart. Not out of condemnation, but out of love. “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17, NLT) This is part of God’s plan to save us from sin, to save us from death, to save us from hell. It is His love and grace and mercy that is reaching out. This can be a difficult thing to do, because we may not know what to do or how to do it. That is why we need to be in prayer and bring it before the Lord. Allow Him to lead us by His Spirit to minister to one another. Our motive should be love. I want to see my brothers and sisters in heaven together as one big family in Christ Jesus.

Paul gives us these instructions, “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” (Ephesians 4:1-4, NLT