Wrongly Judging Weaknesses

Scripture: These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ’s suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. They themselves don’t keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. Galatians 6:12-13a

Observation: Returning to one of the main points of this letter, Paul himself pens this summary ... that those who are telling Christians they must adopt Jewish practices are doing so only so they themselves can look good. These false teachers struggle with their own faith, and they fail to keep teachings of Jesus. As a result, all they are REALLY good at is being outwardly marked, and perhaps a few daily rituals. Therefore, if they can convince all others that THESE are the most important elements of faith, they will immediately be the BEST examples of faith.

Paul is very clear that these individuals are "contemptable". Outward markings, routines, and Jewish customs are meaningless when it comes to faith in Jesus. What is important are the other elements he has summarized ... love for one another, caring for the downtrodden, assistance when each other stumble, refusing to judge others, and delivering the good news of Jesus to all.

Application: Every Christian I know - and I know myself best so I know this applies especially to me - thinks of the elements of faith and right living they are best at as the most important elements of faith. Those things they are weaker at, they consider of lesser importance.

I know I have fallen into this trap before in my faith when it comes to ministry work, and it is clearly wrong. Paul even calls it "contemptable". Every Christian has elements of their faith they are strong at. It may be prayer life, or tithing, or worship, or mercy and caring for others, or service, or teaching, or kindness given to others. Likewise, they will be weak in other elements on this list, and that does not make them bad Christians. Instead this just makes us all incomplete Christians, still capable of growth in our faith, by the help of the Holy Spirit.

What is worse, of course, is declaring as a necessary element of faith something that has nothing to do with faith. While Paul was addressing circumcision and by extension other rituals like (probably) ceremonial washing and dietary restrictions, today our list of such items may include ... proper clothing, alcohol and recreational drug use, and career choices. Of themselves, these are meaningless when it comes to one's faith in Jesus.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, and I have more of the latter than most. It is important to not judge others by simply comparing them to my strengths and declaring them lacking.

Prayer: Lord, again today I pray about my judging heart. I wish we all were more faithful to you in all matters of true faith in Jesus, and may I begin and end my assessment of that with myself. I desire to grow in you every day, and may I focus only on that when I think about how our church could be more faithful. Amen.