Messes We Don*t See

We often don*t see the messes caused by our sin. We don*t see them because we cover them up, we don*t want to see them, we don*t care or because we are partially or totally blind to them. It is a strange phenomenon indeed that we can see very clearly the messes caused by others. We can see problems others cause for us but we can*t see the problems we cause for them. Another thing we cannot see clearly is that when we sin against others we often cause bigger problems for ourselves than for them. The guilt we load upon ourselves can be heavier than the burdens we give others.

My wife has always been more interested in cleanliness than me. For instance, when I washed windows she could always find spots that weren*t quite clean enough for her. Since I have retired I do at least half of the housework around our home, especially the heavier tasks. For a couple of years I have been irritated when my wife spills a few drops of coffee or something and doesn*t clean it up. I felt like she was taking for granted that I would clean up after her. I felt like she was taking advantage of me. Recently I figured out that she doesn*t clean those things up because she can*t see them. She can*t see them because her vision has deteriorated a bit more than mine. Knowing that has made a difference in my attitude. And it*s been a long time since she has complained about a smudge on a window I washed.

We can love the sinners and hate the sin if we realize they are sometimes ignorant of the damage they do. Perhaps we can share the gospel with them so that they will see the damage they do to themselves by rejecting Christ. If they already have Christ we can try to help them see the damage caused by their sin.

Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

We Christians ought to be increasingly discerning about the harm caused by our own sins even though it is so much easier to see the damage done by the sins of others. Only God knows and can measure all the effects of our sin and theirs.

Lord, help us to be as wise about the harmfulness of our own sin as we are about the harmfulness of the sins of others. Help us to confess and forsake our sin.

Proverbs 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Care to discuss Messes We Don*t See with Ron?

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