inner pharisee

"let what you heard from the beginning abide in you." 1 john 2:24

a zeal for truth can cause us to become arrogant, harsh, and cold if there is a lack of love and compassion. often my zeal for truth leads me to be judgmental towards others (in an unloving way). i become cold and ignorant. i become someone i don't want to be. i channel my inner pharisee as i judge and condemn others, because i am convinced that i stand above them. 

(face palm)

I DON'T. 

in no way whatsoever am i better than person "x". they too have a heart that deserves to be loved and a voice that deserves to be heard. my judgment prevents me from developing new relationships and growing in current relationships. i've been going through 1 john, and much of it focuses on obedient living and faithful devotion because God is love. everyone is deserving of that love. 

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

this summer, i asked my close friends what they see to be my character flaw. all of their answers varied, none of them responded with "Allie, you've been mega judgmental." but when asking God, He revealed to me that i have been struggling with the notion of genuinely loving others. we're all human. we're all flawed. Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16) regardless of the sinful nature. if i close my heart towards others, does his love truly abide in me? i need and want to act with grace. 

it's impossible to love God and hate the members of his family. we need to hold one another accountable in a loving, nonjudgmental way. it's definitely easier said than done. i know for me, it will be a continual work in progress. 

this morning i decided to wake up and go hiking at 5:00 AM before a 10:00 AM church service. it was definitely still dark out as we climbed up Mt. Roberts with our headlamps, being ignorant of the potential for bear activity. but as the sun began to rise, the mountains were illuminated with His light. all of His creation was just beginning to stir. on Earth, we are so small. but in Christ's heart, we are everything. He is compassionate, loving, patient, committed, intent on prayer, and non-judgmental. 

we are all #blessed

happy sunday! 

xoxo

-A