By: Carl Holland
Carl's Words of Inspiration
I came across this picture while I was surfing around today. As soon as I saw it, it struck a very deep chord in me. It's a simple, yet very powerful picture that speaks volumes. Most people with even a rudimentary knowledge of the Bible are at least familiar with the passage of John 8:7, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her," but look at the words on the stones; restore, forgive, love, reconcile. These are all attributes we are supposed to be applying to our lives. Consider the following scripture verses. Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Ephesians 5:2, "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." WOW! Look how much of that is red letters, spoken by Jesus. How often do we thoughtlessly throw stones at people for their mistakes, their habits, their lifestyle? Have we stopped to pull out that huge board sticking out of our own eye before worrying about the splinter in someone else's? Have we made ourselves their judge and condemned them, placing ourselves in the position of God? If we're not walking in love and forgiveness, seeking to restore and reconcile, are we throwing rocks at Jesus?
Carl's Words of Inspiration
I came across this picture while I was surfing around today. As soon as I saw it, it struck a very deep chord in me. It's a simple, yet very powerful picture that speaks volumes. Most people with even a rudimentary knowledge of the Bible are at least familiar with the passage of John 8:7, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her," but look at the words on the stones; restore, forgive, love, reconcile. These are all attributes we are supposed to be applying to our lives. Consider the following scripture verses. Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Ephesians 5:2, "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." WOW! Look how much of that is red letters, spoken by Jesus. How often do we thoughtlessly throw stones at people for their mistakes, their habits, their lifestyle? Have we stopped to pull out that huge board sticking out of our own eye before worrying about the splinter in someone else's? Have we made ourselves their judge and condemned them, placing ourselves in the position of God? If we're not walking in love and forgiveness, seeking to restore and reconcile, are we throwing rocks at Jesus?
