Set an Example in Love

Everyone has a tendency to judge other people. We judge what they wear, what they do, what they say, and generally what their life looks like.

I feel like this is especially evident among Christian communities. Everyone has certain convictions about what they feel a Christian should live like; it can be different, and sometimes we look down on others when we do not agree with how they are living their lives in Christ.

But it is made very clear in the Bible that this is not how we are to act! In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells us that even as young people we are to set an example in the way we speak, the way we act, and, today's point, the way we love others.

Judgment and "Taking the Log Out of Your Own Eye"
"Judge not, that you be not judged...Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye...first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)

We are always judging others, whether we realize it or not. We look at others and think, "Wow, that top is really immodest", "Why is she cursing like that?" or "I'm so glad I'm a Christian and not like that."

In Matthew 7, Jesus says that we should be more focused on judging ourselves than others. Just because you are a Christian doesn't automatically make you perfect; only if we are perfect ourselves should we be judging others (that means none of us should judge others, because I'm pretty sure none of us are perfect!).

Everyone has different sins that they struggle with; just because some people's sins are more visible than others doesn't make them "worse Christians" or something like that.

Acceptance vs. Approval
That's not to say that we need to agree with everything others are doing. Sometimes, people are sinning so obviously that it's hard to ignore. But acceptance and approval are two different things: let's look at what those two things mean.

Acceptance: to be willing to interact with and/or tolerate others, even if they are difficult.
Approval: agreeing to something.

You don't have to approve of everything someone does to show them love and kindness. You can accept them anyway, even if they may be difficult or hard to be around.

Christ Loved Us; Now Show His Love to Others
The ultimate reason that we should show love to others is because of the amazing love Christ showed us on the cross. We are now called to share that love with others; how are they going to believe that God is loving if they see His followers being disrespectful, mean, and unkind?

We are God's lights in the world; we reflect His being, and our reputation forms other peoples' impressions of Him. Give them something wonderful to see!

What do you think? Do you agree with my points? How can you show love to others in your everyday environment?