Devotional

Condemning, Careless, or Connected?

Have you ever struggled with how you should go to others with the gospel of full surrender to the Restorer?

When a person is caught in his sin, desiring life apart from God, we tend to go to him in one of two extremes: we are either condemning or careless. These responses are rooted in the two expressions of a proud heart: (1) stone (condemning) or (2) sand (careless). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described the heart and mannerisms of an effective carrier of His gospel message.

Jesus conveyed that we should not go to the world either condemningly or carelessly; rather, we should go connectedly with the Spirit of God in total humility, and with a heart of clay (Matthew 7:1-12). Consequently, every encounter with another person is a three-way call. When we are connected with God and connected with others, then they are connected with God. Whereas pride brings static on the line, humility offers a clear connection.

Let’s examine closer what Jesus said about a condemning heart.

We are not to approach others condemningly with a hard heart of stone (Matthew 7:1-5). Jesus commanded, “Do not judge” (Matthew 7:1). Jesus was communicating that we should not condemn because we will be in turn condemned by God and others (Matthew 7:2; cf. Luke 6:37-38). Paul said that when we condemn others we pass judgment on ourselves because we do the same things (Romans 2:1). Jesus indicated that the judgment of God is predicated on how we flesh out His heart with others (Matthew 5:7). A hard heart of stone condemns out of judgment and legalism. A heart of stone often pretends to connect with God, while disconnecting with others. A heart of stone requires a severe tool to be shaped.

Today, surrender your stone heart to the Restorer. He will give you a heart of clay, one that is malleable in His hands and use you to bring His message of restoration to others.

Episode 16: Restoring Others: Every Encounter is a Three-Way Call from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.

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