Things often look different to Jesus
“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
John 8:10,11
Sometimes situations that look one way to believers, are actually quite different to Jesus. Take for instance, the woman caught in the very act of adultery. To the legalist who believed in the law of Moses, the woman was worthy of death. However, to God manifest in the flesh, she was pardoned. Why? Because those who accused her were no more righteous than she.
I know it is hard to do, but if we can pause in our judgment and allow God to speak to our hearts, sometimes what we are sure is one way, can be totally different. We must move slowly when condemning others, because we ourselves will eventually desire mercy at some point.
Seek God’s Perspective
When judging something, it is best to go by the Holy Spirit and not our own minds. The bigger picture that God may show us might contain information that we are not privy to. I remember, I was in the south and God told me to stop at a small church and talk with the pastor. I met someone at the front and asked to see the minister, who happened to be in. He was a younger man, probably in his 30’s. I told him that God asked me to speak a word to him. He graciously agree to listen. I said, “There is a situation you are dealing with that seems one way, but it is another. You need to have mercy.” He looked shocked and thanked me for the message. I left.
I do not know what the situation was that I spoke to that day, but God did. I hope that the message had a good and timely effect. Obviously, whatever the pastor was dealing with, our Lord had a different or at, least a more merciful, perspective.
Whatever you are dealing with or having to deal with in another’s life, there is always a bigger picture. Ask Jesus to show you what it is.