Doing the Same

by Zeke Flores

Paul had pointed out the wickedness of the Gentiles, and his Jewish readers must have loved it. “Yeah! Let ‘em have it, Paul!” they must have thought. Their glee will be short-lived because Paul will quickly lower the boom on them, too. But Paul wasn’t merely trying to point out each group’s failings; he wanted each individual to examine their own hearts.

When we do an honest introspection –when we’re truthful with ourselves– we’re usually the ones most disgusted with our own shortcomings and inconsistencies. And we usually hope that God will simply gloss over our hypocrisies just as we do. Paul says that reaction thinks too little of God’s purpose and power. He wants repentance and change, not hypocrisy and inconsistency.

Those of us who sweep our faults under the rug while complaining about the faults of others should stop, think, and change. If we believe in God’s power to change us according to His higher purpose for us, we will. Today.

"But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:3-4).