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Come Now; Let Us Reason Together
It seems to me that the American appetite for news is insatiable. This is especially true for news about the failings of others. We seem to get some kind of thrill out of hearing or reading about the drug addiction of a movie star, the affairs of ministers, the DUI’s of famous people, and the “caught of video” bribery of politician, to name just a few. I think we are in some way disappointed in them. However, we also think to ourselves or even say audibly, “How stupid could they be.” or “I could never do such a thing.” We distance ourselves from their actions as if they are clearly not as morally upright as we are. Social psychologists call this “social comparison”, the evaluation of one’s opinions, morality, wealth, etc. by comparing with others.
I was speaking with a colleague about the state of young Black males within our local area. He expressed to me that Black Americans have lowered our expectations for young Black men. He recalled a mother of one such young man stating, “My boy is a good boy. He has not been to jail.” The fact that her son has not been to jail is a good thing; however, does that qualify him as good. Is it really a success if you jump over a bar that is set very low? The point I’m making is that we love watching the failings of others because it boosts our personal sense of moral superiority.
The Bible records a teaching of Jesus in Luke chapter 18, which illustrate this concept. Jesus said, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ' God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” This man clearly had elevated himself by standing on the failings of others. Jesus’ teaching continues with the prayer of another person. He states, “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ' God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' This man does not elevate himself based on others but lowers himself based on his failings in comparison to the Law of God. Jesus concludes this teaching by revealing the results of each man’s prayer. Jesus concludes, “I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to his house justified, rather than the other [the Pharisee]. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
The above teaching may not be as commonly known as another teaching of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew it is recorded, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Some have interpreted these verses as a ban on all judgment of others. I see an encouragement to self-judgment. Jesus continue his teaching. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Jesus is not banning us from judging the actions of others, but he is warning us against being a hypocrite.
The hypocrite is a person who proclaim to have high character or values but does not live up to them. In some measure, we all are hypocrites; I know I am. As a preacher, I often tell those to whom I minister, “Listen to me carefully, but don’t follow me too close.” I may be properly declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ (and that’s debatable), but I’m certainly not living up to all I preach. I am fully aware the Gospel is pure, but it is always delivered by a sinful man or woman. This understanding helps me to not become judgmental or self-righteous when I hear of another preacher committing some sin. Why should I be judgmental when I know that on the same day that particular preacher’s sin was made front page “Breaking News”, I committed several sins myself. Maybe not the same sins, but sin is sin, and all sin is an affront to a Holy God. This is by no means an attempt to lower the high standards God has for those who are called to the ministry of preaching. I’m only acknowledging that you and I need the daily sanctifying grace and cleansing of God.
My point of view is supported by self-assessment of the Apostle Paul, who considered himself to be the “chief of sinners” (1st Timothy 1:10). He writes, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). This verse is taken from the context of Paul teaching about the war of the spirit in God’s children and the flesh on God’s children. Paul continues his teaching. “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:21). We always have evil close to us because we are clothed in it, which is our flesh. This is not an excuse or an authorization to sin. It is only an acknowledgment that we must remain vigilant in cooperating with the Holy Spirit to work death to our sinful flesh and life to our spirit .
Being judgmental and self-righteous about the sins of others never gives you brownie points with God. Sure, there have been others who have sinned against you, hurt you bad, and betrayed your trust. However, consider this. In all human conflict it is always one sinner committing sin against another sinner. In relation to human conflict with God, it is sinner committing sin against the holy, righteous, and sovereign God. Furthermore, no evil act ever done to you can compare with the evil acts you have committed against the Holy God of Heaven.
Once you have truly accepted that you are the greatest sinner you know, you can exercise empathy, mercy, and love toward others because you realize that all your blessings are undeserved. So, instead of laughing or shaking our head in disgust at the failings of others, we would better serve them and ourselves, by prayer for their sincere repentance and restoration.
The greatest sinner I know, is me.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), Copyright 2000, 2001 by Crossway Bibles
The Greatest Sinner I Know