Moderately distraught

Why is it that we spend so much time pointing other people's faults out, when we don't even know the situation that they're in? How come we're quick to point others out when they mess up or fall into sin, and then when they do repent in front of God and try to recuperate from their mess, we still doubt that there's been a change? Why is it that we're able to make excuses for ourselves and say "I'm not perfect", yet when others are genuinely trying to succeed in Christ and walk according to His will, we stick our feet out with our hypocritical expressions of self righteousness, via the instruments that are supposed to bring God praise: our mouths and our words. I think that sometimes we forget about the pit of despair that the Lord has set us free from, hence why a lot of us have been in the same place for years, wandering in circles, not being sure of where we started nor where we're going.

For this reason, I firmly believe that God permits us to fall, mess up, or be insulted by somebody, so that we recognize ourselves. Let me explain that again, I think that God lets us mess up so that we recognize that we are not perfect. He permits us to fall so that we recognize that we are just as much a sinner as the people who surround us, and He teaches us humility through quarrels, when people tell us things like "you think you're better than everyone else", or "you have favorites". Sometimes we get angry when someone hurts us, it's not a good feeling to get called out like that; but it's necessary! It helps us think "wow, is that true? Is that really the attitude that I'm portraying?" And in that situation, we are able to kneel in God's presence and say "wow, I'm sorry Lord, I don't wanna be like this, this person said that I act this way but I don't see it. . .change me, God!!" See? It humbles us. We recognize the error of our ways!

Sometimes we think "wow people talk a lot", but we have to change our mentality. Instead of saying they talk a lot we have to think "Lord, am I giving them a reason to talk?" We need to use every situation as an opportunity to step closer to God, regardless of what people say. People will always have something to say, but are you giving them the material? It's not about saying "I don't care" and proceeding in our pride and arrogance, it's about recognizing, reflecting, and renewing our minds as Paul says in Romans 12:2.

Those who believe, those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we are all one body, one Spirit, one Faith, one Baptism, and we serve one God! Through Christ Jesus, we are all family, we are all soldiers in the army of the Lord. Why would you want to kill your family with the vile and despicable things that you have to say? You're destroying a part of you! Why would an infantryman turn his rifle on his brother? He'd be destroying himself, reducing the chance he has for victory in battle!!

My brothers and sisters, we are a team. Can we step back from our opinions of everyone else, just for a moment, to think about what our purpose is on this earth? And if we can't remember, maybe it's time we all just get on our knees and ask God.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
-1 Corinthians 10:12.

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. . ."
- 2 Corinthians 3:5

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
-2 Corinthians 3:18

The Lord is looking for genuine, humble people. People who recognize that God is love (1John 4:8), and want to be full of His presence, meaning be full of His love. We are all here to help each other out, but there is a fine line between helping and hindering. If you think someone is in the wrong, pray for them. There is not one thing hidden in the darkness that has not come to light. And if they are in sin, pray so that God may have mercy on their soul, so that they may repent from their ways and be able to serve God. It is not His will that anyone should perish, but that they may come to repentance through Christ Jesus. THAT is why He sent His son to die for us, and that is why we are still here.

The same way God had mercy on you and me, God can have mercy on others. He is God, remember, we're not in charge here. I could go on about this topic, but I'll leave it here for now. God bless!