Embracing Our Shared Humanity
When we encounter others who have fallen short, our natural instinct is to judge and condemn. But what if we’re called to do the opposite? What if our role as Christians is not to cast stones, but to identify with those who are struggling?
A Lesson from the Past
Remember the story of the woman caught in adultery, brought before Jesus by the religious leaders? They were ready to stone her, but Jesus intervened, saying, “Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones” (John 8:7, NLT). In that moment, Jesus showed us that our purpose is not to judge, but to connect with others who are imperfect, just like us.
The Danger of Self-Righteousness
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’re better than others, especially after spending time with fellow Christians. We start to separate ourselves from “sinners,” forgetting that our own sin is what brought us to Christ in the first place. I know this because I’ve been guilty of it myself. But the gospel is most powerful when shared by those who acknowledge their own sin and identify with the struggles of others.
Convicted by Our Own Sin
In the story, as the self-righteous leaders were confronted with their own sin, they slipped away, one by one, beginning with the oldest (John 8:9, NLT). It makes sense – the older ones would be more aware of their own sinfulness. There comes a time when we can’t fool ourselves anymore. We must recognize our own guilt and stop trying to separate ourselves from others.
A Message of Hope
The proliferation of judgment within the Christian community has driven many away, leaving them without a friend or a sense of belonging. We’re called to be in the world, not separate from it. Jesus wants us to acknowledge our own sin and not make a big fuss over everyone else’s. Our sin nature is what connects us to our neighbors, our salvation is our hope, and the good news of the gospel is our message.
Hypocrisy in the Church
Jesus preached more about hypocrisy than most other topics. Do you see hypocrisy in the church or in yourself? It’s time to acknowledge it and start correcting it. We must recognize that sinners can spot hypocrisy from a mile away – proclaiming a gospel of forgiveness for everyone’s sins except our own is a contradiction. Let’s start embracing our shared humanity and sharing the good news of the gospel with authenticity and humility.
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