I recently started reading through the book of Romans. I read the second chapter today. I’m being bombarded so much with mind-renewal that I can’t even handle it. My favorite verse in this chapter is Romans 2:4, which in the NIV states, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? ”

I realized something while meditating on this verse this morning. When we judge people, we look down on them for sinning because we know that it’s not right. While it is true that what they are doing is wrong, and we know it, I think that Paul is saying that that doesn’t matter. Us being right about this one thing doesn’t negate all of the times that we break the law, even moment by moment!

A judgmental attitude like this lends evidence to a deeper heart problem that affects the way we see not only other people’s deeds, but also our own.

When I judge other people, I notice that I blame them for their wrong attitudes. And it’s true that it is their responsibility. However, I also blame them for not being better people. This is where the problem lies! It’s when I start thinking that any human being can become a “better person” that I am mistaken, shrinking the power of the cross!

Instead of looking to people to pull up their bootstraps and start obeying God, we must remember that it’s not the power of human will, but instead, as Paul says, God’s kindness. God is kind to us even when we sin, and when we fall short, He is allowed to cover that much more ground in our lives!

I confess also to having this view of my own actions. When I fail, I am overwhelmed with guilt. And to relieve it, I reluctantly apologize to God and promise to do better next time. Okay God, I’m glad you forgive me and I don’t have to deal with the consequences, but that’s not fair and I can’t handle it, so I will still mope around about myself anyway.

Hello! Have I forgotten the Cross? What must happen when I sin is not to buck up and try to make up for it. It’s like I’m trying to cover up the already patched-up holes in my jeans with a patch that is full of holes – utterly worthless!

Today God opened my eyes (again) to the fact that when I sin, I must not look to myself, but instead to Jesus, rejoicing always. I can rejoice even after my sin in saying, “Wow, God, look at that great difference between you and me! That great chasm between our characters – you *crossed* that chasm. Now that I know how many oceans of separation you had to swim to get to me, I can see more clearly the depths of your love for me.” We must fix our eyes on Jesus! He’s much more bearable to look at.

Often, I reluctantly accept forgiveness and think, “I should be better than this. Look at all this stuff I’m making God do. If I could just be a better person, He wouldn’t have to do so much for me and I would be so much in debt. And I would feel better about who I am.” Instead, I now want to accept forgiveness with joy, knowing that *it’s not about how I perform for God; it’s about God’s magnificent performance for me on the cross that has already declared me righteous.”

There is no way for us as human to become “better people.” And I love it, because then I can’t boast in anything, and even as I am being perfected, it’s completely Christ’s work that completes me.