The Measuring Stick

Recently I witnessed a situation that took me by surprise. My reaction, on the other hand, did not surprise me at all. It was my usual human reflex to think what I thought: "I would never do that!". This thought was immediately followed by some surprising feelings of conviction. I felt guilty for thinking that, after I analyzed the situation and realized that I needed to have much more grace than what I was feeling.

Then, I started thinking, MAN... how often do I do this??? How often do I react to people or situations with my own little measuring stick. My measuring stick is by far flawed! It's based on my personal opinions, experiences, knowledge and many times over, my emotions. All of which are extremely limited and again, FLAWED!

So it hit me; like a pile of bricks. What if Jesus judged us in the same way we judge others? Jesus was PERFECT!!! He never sinned, he never fell for temptation, he never used a curse word, he never disrespected his earthly parents, he never lied, he never cheated, he never, EVER said: "Man, I would never do that!". When the truth is, HE never did!

What he does do is love us! He accepts us, forgives us, shows us mercy and gives us all covering GRACE! WOW!

How often do we seriously need to step back from the heat of the moment and -as cheesy as we've made it and turned it into wrist bands and joke punch lines- ask ourselves: WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?!?!?!" Seriously! What would his initial thought process be?

As in all my blogs you'll find, there is hope! Ha ha ha! Don't beat yourself up! I snapped out of my guilt trip really quickly as soon as I remembered that just as he is not upset at the situation that made me say: "I would never...", he is also not upset at me for thinking what I thought! THAT right there is His all covering GRACE!

No matter what we try to do, we can never be perfect in this human life, while we are in this earth. We are to strive to live a life that honors and glorifies God. But we are going to fall. That is just our sinful human nature. The good news is, He will catch us every time. And he won't be holding an ugly measuring stick to judge us when we come to Him. He will have His arms wide open to hold us and forgive us and allow us to grow and learn and continue to get closer to him and fall more in love with Him!

There is a reason Jesus died on the cross. We ALL need a Savior! Thank you Jesus for your incredible sacrifice! Thank you for loving us and having mercy on us and for granting us your incomprehensible GRACE! We are so unworthy, yet you love us! THANK YOU FATHER!

Can I get an AMEN?!?!

Scripture references: John 3:18 & 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

PS: If you do not know your Savior and would like to have that covering from your heavenly father and that guarantee of everlasting life, please repeat this prayer and then contact me via email or reach out to someone in a local church! You WILL NOT regret this!

Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son and that he died on the cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my sins and will worship you all the days of my life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am BORN AGAIN AND CLEANSED by the blood of Jesus! In Jesus name, amen!