Censorious Thoughts, 2

I am taking a slow pace through Edwards thoughts on "censoriousness" in Charity and Its Fruits.

As I read Edwards, what emerges from my reflections is how unlike God I am, especially how unlike Jesus.

Edwards says:
"And so persons are censorious when they condemn others as being unconverted and carnal men because they differ from them in opinion on some points that are not fundamental, or when they judge ill of their state from what they observe in them, for want of making due allowances for their natural temperament, or for their manner or want of education, or other peculiar disadvantages under which they labor, . . .  setting up themselves, and their own experience, as a standard and rule to all others; not being sensible of that vast variety and liberty which the Spirit of God permits and uses in his saving work on the hearts of men. . . . In all these ways, men often act, not only censoriously, but as unreasonably (in not allowing any to be Christians who have not their own experiences) as if they would not allow any to be men who had not just their own stature, and the same strength, or temperament of body, and the very same features of countenance with themselves."

I find this remarkably insightful.  My own heart is very quick to wonder why others do not measure up to my own orthodoxy or my own self-defined godliness. 

In general my opinion of the correctness and thoughtfulness of my own convictions far outweighs reality.  No I have not studied all the subjects through the whole BIble.  No I have not read widely and carefully on all matters.  That does not mean I should not have convictions, but that I should recognize I have much to learn.

In general my opinion of my own godliness is fairly well edited.  If my wife could see a projection of myself, I am not sure she would recognize that person.  I tend to have large blind spots and am not even aware of them. 

The issue is pride.  I take the place of God -- scanning to and fro through the earth and judging all based on my omniscience.  The fruit of my pride is harsh judgment of others -- why don't they see things as clearly as I do?  Why are they not as godly as I am?  How can they think they are mature and still do THAT!?

This does not mean I am wimpy -- but that I hold convictions fiercely and with humility.  I contend with humility.  I show honor to others while contending.

And this is the way my Savior lived.  Imagine what he saw when he looked out at the human race.  He contended and corrected for the sake of their eternal good -- but he held back so much. Imagine the flaws of character he saw in the 12.  Yet he did not number their sins and found hope in the slightest glimmer of grace in their hearts.  Even on his last night, as he prepared them for his departure, they were so off base in their understanding that I would have stopped the show, corrected them, and wanted to start all over.  But our Lord saw grace in them, commissioned them, and proceded.  He was confident in the power of grace in their lives.

He is my example.

Comments

[michelle]

"The issue is pride." Is it ever! I'm quite sure as I walk through the remaining posts on this subject I will be continually brought to my knees. Thank you again...I need this.

[David Wayne]

Outstanding Mark, thanks for these posts.

[Wyeth Duncan]

I plead guilty!

Thank you for these posts. God spoke to me about my own sin. I was particularly struck by your comment (in part 1) about acting as if you're responsible for your children's sanctification. That's me exactly.

My sons are 10 & 13, but I want to do a better job of modeling Christ before them during the remaining years they are at home than I have done for the past 10-13 years.

Thank you for this good and convicting word.

[Matt Redmond]

I want to thank you for these posts. Being a youth pastor in a cultural context significantly different than my own, I am given to being censorious. And to be honest I do not like it about myself. It not only is dishonoring to the grace I have received but makes my own life miserable as well as the lives of the young people I work with. May God be pleased to give me the power of the Spirit to see Him working in those in my charge. Thanks again.