Every knee will bow

One of the things that I have been struggled with this past school year and more so the past couple months is the difference between those who seem to be alive in those whose faith may seem dead.

I don't know why it has been that way for me. I am not one to judge someone based on how strong or alive their relationship with Christ is.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have felt isolated a lot this year, just because I believe I am in a different place spiritually...which is totally fine! We won't ever be in the same place spiritually until we are all in heaven someday. I often isolate myself because I just don't want to be around sinful nature. We all sin though right? I never thought that I was better because I was at a different place spiritually...

One of my problems was the way I thought about the people around me. I don't think they are bad people or anything, I just saw there sin and didn't think they were trying very hard to live a very spiritual life.

I was convicted of this by the Holy Spirit yesterday, and when I read this scripture this morning that I was wrong. I was wrong in everything that I thought. My friends and the people around me just fight different battles than I do. Maybe they are really trying to live a more righteous lifestyle but struggle to conquer sin that has been holding them back.

A very close friend of mine applied for an RA position next school year. I love this friend so much and know him very well. I had a friend in Spanish class yesterday morning ask if my friend got the position. I told her that he did not. She said "wow, that is surprising, he seemed like the perfect guy for the job."

Here is where I was wrong. My thought was that my friend wasn't in the right place spiritually for the job. I got knots in my stomach. I was upset for a couple of reasons. I really don't care what people say about me or think about me but I have heard what people have said before and it's hard for me. It's hard for me to hear that because I know that I have made mistakes, but I really try to live my life for Christ every day. I don't know why I should've let anything like this bother me, but I was bothered by the fact that my friend had such a great reputation, but I know the real him. That is where I was wrong. I looked past all of the battles my friend fights every day and was only thinking about the wrong things that he has problems with. What I see as problems and sin is totally different than he might see it or anyone else.

Let that be a lesson to you. No matter where you are at spiritually, you can't think of other people any differently. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are a family. We are one. A relationship with Christ is a roller coaster, and we are all at different places on the track. Just because you are riding up the first hill doesn't mean you are any different than the person waiting in the station.

Reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Love them all. It's way to easy to think that just because you are a great place spiritually, that you don't have to help those who are behind you.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or your sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 

"'As surely as I live, ' says the Lord,
' every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.'"

So then, each of us will give an account of our selves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.  ( Romans 14:10-13 )

I was conceited because I forgot that every knee will bow. Let that thought really soak in...it is an incredible thing to think about. I know that I need to work on not passing judgment on one another and that I need to stop putting stumbling blocks or obstacles in the way of my brothers and my sisters.

I know it's tough, but it can be done. All things are possible through Christ.

If you took one thing away from this post, I hope it is that if you have any friends who struggle with things and you might judge them for it that you need to stop and try not to do that. Love you brothers and sisters.  Remember that someday they will be kneeling in front of our Lord Jesus Christ right there with you.