JUST A LITTLE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?.... He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” Romans 2:3,6-8, ESV
Theme: God judges everyone by their actions and their intentions. Seek Him, not your own rebellious way.
NOT AS BAD
When we judge others, even for things we don’t think we struggle with, it is a violation because we also do wrong. Maybe someone else practices or revels in their wrong- doing and we sin “just a little”? Maybe. Yet, infrequent sin is still sin. “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things” (Romans 2:1b, ESV).
INTOLERABLE
My second cousin is severely allergic to MSG. Once, at a restaurant, she asked the server if a dish contained MSG. “Yes,” was the answer. Finally, she settled on the salad. Just to be sure, she asked if the salad contained any MSG. “Just a little,” was the response. Frustrated, she was unable to eat that day because, regardless of the amount of MSG in the dish, she couldn’t tolerate it. The fried rice was no worse than the salad because both contained MSG. We can present ourselves as tolerable - like the salad. We think that our position is superior because we contain “just a little” of such sinful things.
BY PATIENCE
Character grows slowly. While there is no quick fix to a sin-free life, there is a slow plod towards character growth. “He will render to each one according to his works” (Romans 2:6, ESV). God looks at our actions, not our words, to determine worth. Trying to look better by comparing myself to people in worse shape? That shows immaturity. The truth is, we are all insufficient. Thinking otherwise ignores the Truth – “For God shows no partiality” (Romans 2:11, ESV). Patiently working towards following Jesus shows character. Recognizing and admitting our own failures readily provides a good example to those following us. Asking for forgiveness, encouraging others, and refusing to judge others models humility. Seeking glory and honor by God’s grace alone and recognizing we do not deserve it any more than the next person – this allows us to offer the same grace we have received.
Make It Personal: We may see people as having stronger or weaker character than we do. As a parent, sometimes I find myself lecturing and judging in areas where I’m clearly still struggling. I’m working on refocusing to admitting my own mistakes and pointing out what I’m learning and where God is nudging me to develop character. It’s not about me being better than you – we are all traveling to Jesus together. Consider taking the focus off comparison and onto Truth. Consider putting your effort into “patience in well-doing seek[ing] for glory and honor and immortality" (Romans 2:7, ESV). Let's pray for strength to do this today!
Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for allowing us all to seek Your glory, honor, and immortality. We don’t deserve any of that, not even in our best moments. You are the Way, the Truth and the only Rock that can bear the weight of our mistakes. Thank You for providing for us. Help us to seek You, not our own rebellious ways. Help me to see others the way you do – as made in Your image, loved, and valuable. Give me a new perspective when I become indignant and self-seeking. Help me to accept responsibility, and patiently return to following in Jesus’ humble example. In His Name, Amen.
Read: Romans 2:1-11
Weekly Memory Verse: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16, ESV