Everyone has weaknesses, has faults, is self-centered and
egotistical, with this sort of mind in place that controls us, we will tend to
judge others who are different from us, we look upon the sins and faults of
others and condemn them for their bad choices. At the same time, we fail to see
our own weaknesses, our own faults, our own downfalls, and the offenses we
commit in the sight of God, forgetting that our sins are our responsibility.
The sins that others embrace and practice are none of our business, unless this
person asks for our input, guidance, or thoughts.
The
first error we make when we look upon others, when we judge others, and when we
condemn others, we forget that each person had a childhood, had interaction
with others, and often times suffered under the hands of someone who was
supposed to care for them. If you enjoyed a childhood free of abuse, free of
neglect, and filled with love and protection, you need to remember that not
everyone enjoyed that kind of love and safety.
When we
see someone else acting, speaking, or thinking in a certain way, we need to
remember that they are thinking, speaking, and acting in this way because of
how they were formed, how they were raised, and how others spoke to them while
they transitioned through childhood and into adulthood. It should be common
sense to understand that those with whom we interact will not share the
secrets, the abuses, and the torments they endured as a child.
The
metaphor of art can be used to understand why someone is the way they are, why
they think, speak, and act the way they do. If someone gives you a lump of clay
and instructs you to make something out of it, it is your responsibility to
make something, hopefully something beautiful. If you are ignorant, mean
spirited, and uncultured, your creation will likely not be beautiful. The fruit
of your work will be a reflection of the state of your heart, soul, and mind.
If you
meet someone, or interact with someone who is socially inept, who seems
incapable of expressing love and kindness, then it is very likely that you may
be the one person who can love them, help them, and draw them toward that which
is good, right, and beautiful. If everything they experienced in their
childhood was abuse, unkindness and neglect, do your best to be a display of
love and kindness so that they can become a different and better person.
Historically,
the Church has communicated that every person that we meet is an image of Jesus
Christ, therefore we need to see them, help them, direct them, and love them.
Every person is made in the image of God and deserves to be loved, deserves to
be protected, and deserves kind words regardless of how difficult it may be to
give kindness and love in the face of anger, disdain, and hatred. The Christian
faith is summarized with two simple phrases: love God and love your neighbor.
If you cannot love your neighbor, then you cannot love God.
Ask
yourself a simple question, how do you want others to treat you? Do you want
disdain, anger, and unkindness poured out upon you. Most people have the
tendency to downplay their own sins, downplay their own weaknesses, and are
quick to judge and condemn others for their sins. Be the person in someone
else’s life who will encourage them, who will build them up, and will draw them
toward holiness and a change of life toward something good and beautiful.
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