With all this finger pointing, the first thing we talked about was pride (Part 1), then taking care of our sin (Part 2).  But there’s another thing we need to see in ourselves.

Okay, so someone is being an idiot to you, or they’re sinning in some way that’s obvious to you – and you’ve gotten to the point where you can be humble (Part 1) and where you’re taking care of your sin (Part 2), but what about them?  They’re still being an idiot. 

What now?  What am I still missing? Love. If someone is sinning or worse yet sinning against you, you still have to see them as God sees them… …as someone who needs some sort of help. That hopefully should spur on compassion for them.  So much so that even if they are sinning against you so much to be considered your enemies that Christ says…

Matt 5:44 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

So what do we do?

Think of all the people that sin against you.  Are you praying for them? Your ex?  Your boss?  The family member who annoys the snot out of you?  That jerk at school or the office?

If you can’t have compassion and love for those who sin against you and who are going around sinning – well, what are you here for? Are you here to only have compassion on the righteous and perfect?  Cause that list is going to be really short.  The list would be: me and Gandalf.  And Gandalf is in Valinor, so he doesn’t even count.

If we have no love for sinners, then we might as well pack up our bags now cause we won’t be doing much of anything for the rest of our lives. So to sum up this three parts devotional of Pointing Fingers… Take that finger, point them to Christ (part 1), and point it at your own sins (part 2), and point it at your heart (part 3)… is there love in there? 

Does someone else’s sin cause you to have compassion for them? Or are you still irritated at them? We must love those who we are pointing fingers at. We must see them as God sees them… as a sinner that needs a better relationship with him… just like us. That’s the largest issue and the hardest to obey.

MT 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Take time to Pray: Pray for a love and compassion that overcomes sins. Today’s Fruit of the Spirit to focus on: Love.