The Mistake Of Our Moral Superiority

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.  He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.  But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.  There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.  Who are you to judge another?
James 4: 11-12 NKJV

I have a friend who I value not only for his pursuit of Christ Jesus,but his desire to share Him with others.  Indeed, his ministry to others has been a great gift to those around him.  For are we not indeed called to "make followers" of all the nations?  Well, the very words used by Jesus were to make disciples, but the word disciple is often translated as a follower.  But how are we to approach those who have not known the wonders of Jesus?  Better yet, how are we to approach one who already knows Jesus if we notice some area where our brother is lacking?  The old phrase of people living in glass houses not tossing stones certainly applies in this instance.  For who's to say that the very person we are rebuking cannot turn around and point out an area where we ourselves are deficient in our lives?  This is a vicious cycle that many christians get caught up in.  I've heard the comments before.  From, "Where were you on sunday?" to, "Are you sure a follower of Jesus would act this way?"  Who are we to judge our brothers?  Is not God the one who judges all?  The apostle James seemed to think so.  This isn't to say that we shouldn't attempt to correct a brother in his ways, but who are we desiring to serve when we do so?  Do we show the gentleness of Christ who is within us, or do we place ourselves as moraly superior to the one we are trying to correct?  What I have noticed through scripture, is that Jesus very seldom used condemnation or shame when dealing with a wayward person of one who he intended to bring to God.  This was not His way.  So why do we ourselves make a practice of doing such things?  For when we use guilt and shame to correct a brother, are we not placing ourselves above that person?  This is one issue I have with many a pulpit pounder these days.  Men of the cloth who will stop at nothing to fill their buildings each week.  I have often wondered just how Jesus Himself would have approached such men.  But wait, we already know that answer.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.  "Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not do.  "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  "But all their works they do to be seen by men.  They make phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.  "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi'  "But you, do not becalled 'Rabbi'; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  "Do not call anyone on earth your father, One is your Father, He who is in heaven.  "And do not be called teachers; for One is your teacher, the Christ.  "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23: 1-12 NKJV

Indeed, Jesus had a harsh rebuke for those in authority who placed undo burdens on those of the Jewish faith.  I could possibly make the case for symilarities I see in the modern pastor and the Pharisee of Jesus' day, but that's for another time.  My focus here is how we ourselves approach a brother who we see as needing correction.  As in much of scripture, I believe we have a example to follow in Christ Jesus.  Do we issue a harsh rebuke, or do we follow the example of Christ and gently lead our brother in the way he should go?  Ultimately, it is up to us to decide which path we will take, and who it is we will glorify in our approach.  For is our intent is to place ourselves moraly above our brother, then we are missing the mark entirely.  This is not the love and compassion of Christ, and we should never act this way in His name.  Others may ask, "what if Christ is speaking through me?"  Really?  Since when was guilt and shame the chosen method of Christ Jesus for exhibiting His Fathers love?  People who live in glass houses...

~Scott~