Lent: DRAW THE LINE

When do you say, “Enough is enough!”  When is that breaking point?  When do you draw the line?  It seems that the moral line in our lives makes a shift the more society moves forward.  Or maybe the line is just blurred.  What we once found morally unacceptable and is now “okay” and that line just keeps moving and shifting, more and more.  Now you know I am not a puritan.  In fact, Paul says to us all, “None are righteous, no not one.”  But what I am saying is that eventually, sometime in our lives we have to take control of the line.  We have to eventually stand on some moral standard and not budge.

Jesus sets that standard for us.

First, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  When we set this standard in our lives things begin to change.  Jesus gives us this as His last command.  “Love one another as I have loved you.”  When we do this, we begin to see that hatred, anger, jealousy, and the rest become a thing of the past.  We begin to understand that doing unto others is like doing it unto ourselves.  We treat people with the same respect and dignity they deserve.  We give to people in ways we never would before.  We view people not as objects of desire or opportunity, but as human beings, brothers and sisters.

Second, DON’T JUDGE ONE ANOTHER! If we are able to set the standard of love, then out of it will come the standard NOT TO JUDGE.  Jesus knows our sin condition and the struggles of life.  If we judge others for their mistakes that is just like the pot calling the kettle black.  We become hypocrites, because each of us makes mistakes.  Jesus says if we judge each other we then will be judged.  Instead, of judging people get on board with them.  Help them.  Be a team player.  Edify.  Amazing things will happen when you do this.

Lastly, FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER.  When we set the standard of love and not to judge, we begin to forgive.  What a standard that is born when we forgive those around us.  Jesus did something amazing…He brings forgiveness, but teaches us to forgive as well.  Where is that in your heart?  How are you making that real in your life?  When we forgive we set our selves free, but we also set free those around us.  Forgiveness allows us to live our lives to its fullest potential.  It makes us live in the present and not in the past.

What a standard set for our lives.  What an incredible “line” that should never move…love, don’t judge, forgive.

When will enough be enough for you?  When do you want the Lord to set this standard in your life?  I will give you a hint…HE ALREADY HAS…all we have to do is follow!

Follow Him today!

Rev. Jim