Playing the blame game!

I never gave much attention to it but the core of Paul's argument in the first few chapters of Romans regarding  sin is actually our own judgments over sin. Our biggest problem is not that we openly sin but that we are so quick to condemn people who make the same mistakes that we do. This hypocritical attitude is what constitutes the core of our being and what is actually so much of an anathema to God. We not only cover up our own sins but we are so quick to find fault and uncover what we see in others; we almost never see it inside us, at least not immediately. We not only play the blame game but we actually think that we are better than the one who was just caught and exposed.
Surely man is a complex being but only because he has put layers of deception over his own life and it is almost impossible to unwrap them and see what is really inside. I use the word 'almost' because there is hope. The Holy Spirit is willing and wanting to peel them off one by one. We have to allow Him to do it. It is our only hope of greater glory. If we think we have it, we have lost it. It is a battle against all odds. But we have to win. The groanings of the Holy Spirit in us are not just for those 'other people'. Who will save me from the body of this death? It will happen when Christ Jesus truly becomes our Lord and  Master (paraphrase of Romans 7:24,25).

Submit? Of course I do!

Submission to leadership in the churches is not a favourite topic to discuss but I believe it is far too important for us to be unclear about it. Everyone will be quick to point out that leaders are not perfect, so the problem is not there; at least in theory. However the practical outworking of that is not usually ‘therefore, be in submission’ but rather ‘wait and see how they perform’. It is vital to understand here that unless we set our mind to submit, the devil will soon trick us into being open minded to reconsider our options. I cannot afford to give a foothold to the enemy. If I am unsatisfied, the first thought the enemy would put in my mind is to think of a change of leadership or to quit. Soon, my unsatisfaction turns into complaint. I stop praying for my leaders and start playing with the devil. 

Please realize that we are not ignoring or trying to forget the weaknesses of our leaders. That is why we pray for them. We accept them even though we know that they lack in this area or in that. They have their strengths too. And more importantly, God has placed them over our lives. And we will quit only when things go out of control. And that too, we can walk away in peace. Because God is showing us the journey ahead.