Completely Incomplete

Referenced scriptures: 1 Kings 11:2, 4 , Exodus 20:16, Matthew 5:22

The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. - 1 Kings 11:2, 4 

How could Solomon do this? How could the wisest man that ever lived deliberately go against God's command and blatantly disobey God? This is the first thought that came to mind as I read this today. Then as I begin to think on this I am reminded of my very own weaknesses and how I've slipped up before. I literally said out loud, "We all deal with things."  This is so true and if we are honest with ourselves we know it's 100% absolute truth. God's word tells us not to lie (Exodus 20:16), but I bet most of us today have "bent the truth" to make the talk around the water cooler just a little more exciting. Jesus tells us not to hate and that it's the same as murder (Matthew 5:22), but I can guarantee there are some reading this that can think of someone they could honestly say they "hate". So just as quickly as I was ready to condemn and pass judgement on Solomon I am humbly reminded we all have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). So then why do we judge?

Through God's grace I see things differently now than in my younger years and some things become increasingly clear. We can't keep trying to understand or pass judgement on anyone's issues. We don't know the entire story and what makes us think we can base a conclusion on the small amount of information we do have? Hey, believe me I am talking to myself here just as much as all of you. Look at the beginning of this I was judging Solomon for directly disobeying God. So this is not me on a "holier-than-thou" soapbox religious rant. This is me just being real and transparent. We as Christians can be notorious to holding grudges, looking down on others, gossiping, and just being downright judgmentally rude. Yes, I have been guilty of this and if you have been on the receiving end of this from me; I do sincerely apologize.

Here's what I believe it all comes down to. For those of us that openly call ourselves a Christian; let's  take a moment to let the meaning of that word soak in. The very definition of this word states, "pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith. Exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ;  Christ like.” So we all have things that we deal with and because we live in a fallen world it's going to take daily maintenance being in God's Word and being in prayer renewing our minds to combat these "things". So don't be so quick to judge everyone else but pray for them instead, because the truth of the matter is we are all completely incomplete without the Grace and mercy of God.

Take Care & God Bless,

-E