When our eyes are on the law, our tendency is to keep score. How many times I have found myself thinking that I was good because I was keeping all of the rules. We are told in the Bible that there are none good no not one. Also, that the heart is deceitful above all things. Jesus said that these two commandments Love the the Lord and Love your neighbor summed up the law. We are to allow obedience to God and Love Rule our lives. It is not until we realize that whatever is good in us, is from Him, that we can truly love people.
Let love be the rule when disagreeing with our brothers and sisters. When disagreements, must take place, especially in regard to doctrine, focus on the majors. I remember, a time that I attended a church where homeschooling was the rule. I am a proponent of homeschooling in the right situation; however, my husband felt pretty strong that he didn’t want to home-school. Then, my son was diagnosed with dyslexia and we agreed he would be better served in the public school. He would be taught by people who specialize in children with such problems. I was ostracized at church and all but told I was not a good mother. How could I entrust my children to the public school system? Other things that I was criticized as a mother for included, not baking enough, allowing my kids to eat happy meals sometimes, and letting them drink soda with their pizza. Apparently, good moms don’t do these things. I ended up feeling like I could not trust a church family who seemed to be constantly judging me. Whether or not I raise my kids to understand our faith is a major. Whether or not I make the personal choice to allow my children to drink soda is not. My children are healthy, fit and active. I look back on how guilty I felt and laugh. It has been nearly ten years since then. My children are active in church, healthy and fit. They have all made personal commitments to Christ. They have learned balance and moderation. I have learned from this experience, that we are all different and that most of us are doing what we feel is best for our children. My initial desire was to run. To avoid people, and at that time that meant especially Christian people, because I found more love and acceptance from the world. We are the body of Christ, we should be reaching out and loving people. Not judging them for not sharing our opinions.
