Over the last few days I’ve seen several posts on Facebook that have really annoyed me as Christian. I know what you are thinking…that’s not hard to do. You are correct there, but the amazing part is the comments came from people who were presenting themselves as Christians. I use the word “presenting” because I cannot be sure of their hearts and it isn’t my place. It wasn’t even that I disagreed with what they were saying as a whole, but more in the way they said it. For instance, one post was referring to a teenage mom, where the teen had chosen to have her child and stay in school. Instead of offering encouraging words to this girl, one person basically said (and this is in my words), “Kudos for not aborting your child, but I pray for your souls because God is not happy.” OK, so let’s be clear here. I know that God has set down His expectations for us and He really didn’t intend for us to have sexual relationships outside of marriage and I agree that we need to follow His instructions, because going against those is sin. That being said, I also know that there is no sin greater than any other and that Jesus loves all of us equally no matter what we have done. Perhaps, the better message to have sent is that prayers were being said for her as she endured the trials of life, parenting and education, that God loved her despite her transgression, that there is forgiveness from Christ if she asks, and that she was not alone in the world. I believe that it is imperative that if you are going to be a Christian that you present God as He is and reflect Him by showing others the same love and grace that was shown to you. God is no respecter of persons. I think that at some point we have probably all been guilty of doing something like this – perhaps not a severe as posting something on a public forum, but none the less judgmental. The sad part is we aren’t even doing it to be hurtful, we are speaking without clarity. There is not one person living on Earth who is without sin. That doesn’t mean that you wake up and plan a robbery, or a murder, or anything extreme like that, but perhaps you stand at the water cooler at work and whisper with your co-workers about someone else (Guilty), perhaps you let your emotions get the best of you and a not so nice word “slips” out (more likely flies) or maybe you never say anything but think thoughts that God would not find pleasing. We are so oblivious to these “minor” infractions and are very quick to point out the shortcomings of others and we are often missing some vital parts of the story because we aren’t seeing very clearly. We are pointing out the speck in our brother or sister’s eye and missing the plank in our own. This is a lesson that I am learning and sharing all at the same time. Let’s mind our manners and uplift each other. The world doesn’t need our help tearing people down…it’s doing a fine job all on its own. Be sure to check your “eyes” daily for speck, toothpicks and 2x4’s and remember someone else is checking you too.