Sin is easy to justify

Sin is easy to justify in your own life, but hard to tolerate in someone else’s, because you know the exact circumstances of why you “had to do what you did”. But when it comes to others, you are not near as willing to understand their reasons for failure. Thank goodness, God always knows your heart and adds mercy to His love for you. “Mercy triumphs over judgment” James 2:13. This principle demands that you have as much understanding, forgiveness and compassion for others as you have for yourself if you want God to have it for you. “…because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” James 2:13. To walk with God is not for the fainthearted, because it forces you to clean up your own heart first and then, if you have any time or energy left, look to others and judge their mess. Sin in you or in others can never be justified, but needs to be confronted and thrown out through repentance and forgiveness from God and others. “The devil made me do it” is not going to fly any more than blaming your parents, neighbors, family or church. Your sin is exactly what it says, it is yours and needs to be cleaned up by you instead of trying to find a reason why you couldn’t help committing it. Going to the Lord and confessing wrongdoing will always bring mercy and forgiveness and not condemnation if you are willing to do the same to your neighbor. “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” Matthew 6:15. Like I said, walking with the Lord is not for the fainthearted.
E-mail Barbara Martin if you need prayer at barbara@wordfromtheking.com or go to her website at www.wordfromtheking.com to order books or schedule a speaking event.