There are a lot of stones being cast around the United States lately.
Many people are acting as if they themselves are the arbiters of what is right and wrong. They’re pointing out the faults of historical figures. They’re going out of their way to intentionally dig up past mistakes of celebrities.
All while acting as if they are without fault.
The presumed goal of this shade-throwing is to create the unity that is missing in our country. The thought process seems to be “if we tear people down who have done wrong things, we can all be united”.
Such an approach proves that “human logic” is an oxymoron.
In the passage in John 8, some people pick up stones to condemn a woman caught in adultery. She was guilty. That was not in doubt. But so were the people who wanted to stone her. Maybe not of adultery, but they were guilty of some sin.
All of us are all guilty of sin. We’re not all guilty of the same sins, but we’re all guilty of sins – more than we realize. That is not in doubt. But it is only recognition of that fact which can create unity – not acting as if we’re sinless.
People solve problems by condemning others. Jesus says to solve problems by condemning yourself first. Recognize your own sinfulness, then you’ll be more tolerant and understanding of the sins of others.
Love of self combined with a hatred for others is a tactic that can only divide and destroy. Humility towards self and forgiveness towards others creates unity. For the people of the United States to be unified, we need to first start by humbling ourselves and forgiving others (don’t hold your breath).
The current behaviors on display around the United States prove – yet again – that mankind only creates problems or makes them worse. We are incapable of solving them.
We need to do things God’s way. We need to recognize that everyone else is not the problem. We’re all the problem.
We need to be unified in our sinfulness, not in our self-righteousness.
A Daily Dose Of Scripture 