Stumbling Blocks

Double standards: We all have them. Oh come on, be honest with yourself! In today's world and especially in the Christian community, double standards no longer come as a shock to anyone. Isn't that sad? As horrible as they can be, double standards have become the norm in our socieity. Shame on us.

I suppose this entry is a follow up to a previous thought of mine. We really do need to tread lightly, especially if we are in a position of leadership. The things we say, the standards we set (double or not), and the actions we take will have an effect on the people we mentor. It is up to us to make sure the effect is a positive one.

What would happen if something we said or did actually hurt someone's spiritual life?

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. (Ro 14:12 NASB)

Why? Why do we need to be careful?

And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! (Mt 18:5-7)

I for one think it is time to get real with ourselves first and then with others. (Isn't there something written about that, too? Oh yes, a plank vs. a speck!) No one is perfect. No one is "holier" than anyone else. Does the term "filthy rags" ring a bell? The ground is level at the cross. At the point of Jesus we are all the same. Everyone has weaknesses and imperfections. We really need to get over ourselves. We need to remove our self-installed blinders. And one more thing: doesn't it rub you completely the wrong way when someone abuses what little power (they think) they have? Our lives shouldn't be about our reputations. Mine isn't all that great. Guess what? Neither is anyone else's. When the truth is presented it should be taken personally in the context of application. Unfortunately we often take the truth personally by becoming offended and setting out to hurt someone or prove our "point." How shallow can we be?

Did anyone get bit with the truth today? Did it hurt? That's life. Accept it, admit it, get over it, and move on. The time for petty differences, backstabbing, stone throwing, and finger pointing should have been over a long time ago.

Isn't that one of the reasons Jesus came here?