I’ve noticed for me, when I start with the fear of the Lord and the sinfulness of mankind, none of the judgements and hard things in the Bible seem unwarranted and hard to swallow anymore. The Lord ceases to be harsh. In fact, when I start there, the entire context of the Word falls into place. His power, kindness, patience, and love are magnified. It re-establishes right order and if read by a humble heart, brings peace and awe for the Lord. And empathy for my fellow mankind.

When I am able to accept the fallenness of humans, my expectations shift into their rightful places. Disappointment in myself and in others, fades. I am able to see myself and others with more grace and less frustration. After all, we are all in the same boat. All needing help, and pretty messed up. I can understand the Biblical stories without offense. And any offense and grief I DO feel, is more because of our attitude towards God than something He’s done or not done for me. I am grieved for how misunderstood He is. I am grieved that He keeps loving and is rejected in innumerable ways. I am grieved for the ways He is blamed for everything going wrong, when He is in fact the one who is making things right and cleaning up after our messes.

It helps me understand why hypocrisy happens and how professing believers can also be the ones responsible for so many heinous moments in the human narrative. Understanding my own painstaking progression towards healing and sanctification helps me see why restoration and reconciliation amongst two individuals, three, families, societies, and nations is so slow and difficult.

I cannot begin to look at another’s sin towards me or another person with clarity and compassion until I first see the sin I have committed towards my God and his compassion towards me.

Having that mindset frames how I approach my fellow mankind when we are, at least in my current estimation, one of our low points as a nation.

I am believing for a turnaround, but that turnaround starts with Him, not with us.

Matthew 18:21-35