By Scotty Smith:
You, therefore, have no excuse, you
who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge
another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do
the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do
such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass
judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will
escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his
kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is
intended to lead you to repentance? Rom. 2:1-4 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, I feel
“busted” and beloved at the same time this morning. The call to love
others as Jesus loves me keeps driving me to you for more grace and for
more power of the gospel. Meditating on this passage has convicted me
about being way too selective in my love. I hoard the riches of your grace and withhold them from people desperate for your kindness. I’m not an equal opportunity dispenser of your mercy and compassion.
Father, I am quick to shower the
riches of your kindness, tolerance, and patience on people whose
brokenness, struggles, and issues are similar to mine. But
I can be condescending and judgmental toward people whose weaknesses
inconvenience, annoy, or offend me. Forgive and free me, Father. This
attitude blatantly contradicts the gospel.
Father, it’s your kindness that
leads me to repent today. I own my political-persuasion,
theological-family, life-choice orientation, and personality-profile
arrogance. I’m a mess, Lord, in need of a bigger, freer heart.
Jesus, you took the judgment I deserve on the cross—the fullness of God’s righteous wrath toward my sin; and now you love me with the fullness of compassion, acceptance, and delight. The greatest non sequitur in life happens when I withhold the same from others—whoever
they are. Deepen my repentance and deepen my compassion for fellow
broken image-bearers of God. So very Amen I pray, in your righteous and
loving name.
http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/scottysmith/2015/08/16/a-prayer-for-repenting-of-my-critical-spirit-and-selective-compassion/
