Day 539: Evidence of Responsibility, Part 1 of 6: Do You Not Teach Yourself?Romans 2:21a
...you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?
Thoughts for Today:We just finished a four part series which was titled: "Questions of Responsibility." Paul now asks six more questions which have to do with the "Evidence of Responsibility" as demonstrated in our lives. Today we deal with the first of these: "If we know God's Word so well that we teach it to others, then why don't we teach it to ourselves?"
A few days ago I had some words in anger with a guy who did something I wished he hadn't. The problem was threefold: what I said, how I said it, and what I felt -- none of which were good. Unfortunately the situation was compounded because my eight year old daughter Amanda overhead a large portion of it. Not only did I need to apologize to the guy for my words, ask God for forgiveness and pray for Him to change my heart -- I also had to sit down and talk about it with Amanda.
I decided the direct approach with Amanda was the best: "I was wrong to say what I said. No matter what someone else does it is never right to use unkind words." Amanda responded matter-of-factly: "I know." Then I asked her: "Will you forgive me for being a poor example?" Amanda answered: "Of course I will -- we all make mistakes, that's why we need Jesus -- right Daddy?" I have to say I didn't feel too good about my behavior that day, yet somehow God turned the ugliness into a teaching experience for both Amanda and myself. Paul's words came to me: "You who teach others, do you not teach yourselves?" My answer is: "Yes, even when I make a mistake."
Questions to Ponder:Too often when we make mistakes, rather than confess and ask forgiveness we seek to cover and excuse. On that day I could have easily covered my behavior with self-righteous indignation. If I had done so, Amanda may not have said anything, but she was watching -- she knew what I did was wrong, and just as important, she was paying close attention to how I handled my error. Confess and seek forgiveness or cover and make excuses -- it's a choice we make in these types of situations. Fortunately I did the right thing even in my error. How do you handle your errors? Is there anything you need to clear up and take responsibility for right now?
...you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?
Thoughts for Today:We just finished a four part series which was titled: "Questions of Responsibility." Paul now asks six more questions which have to do with the "Evidence of Responsibility" as demonstrated in our lives. Today we deal with the first of these: "If we know God's Word so well that we teach it to others, then why don't we teach it to ourselves?"
A few days ago I had some words in anger with a guy who did something I wished he hadn't. The problem was threefold: what I said, how I said it, and what I felt -- none of which were good. Unfortunately the situation was compounded because my eight year old daughter Amanda overhead a large portion of it. Not only did I need to apologize to the guy for my words, ask God for forgiveness and pray for Him to change my heart -- I also had to sit down and talk about it with Amanda.
I decided the direct approach with Amanda was the best: "I was wrong to say what I said. No matter what someone else does it is never right to use unkind words." Amanda responded matter-of-factly: "I know." Then I asked her: "Will you forgive me for being a poor example?" Amanda answered: "Of course I will -- we all make mistakes, that's why we need Jesus -- right Daddy?" I have to say I didn't feel too good about my behavior that day, yet somehow God turned the ugliness into a teaching experience for both Amanda and myself. Paul's words came to me: "You who teach others, do you not teach yourselves?" My answer is: "Yes, even when I make a mistake."
Questions to Ponder:Too often when we make mistakes, rather than confess and ask forgiveness we seek to cover and excuse. On that day I could have easily covered my behavior with self-righteous indignation. If I had done so, Amanda may not have said anything, but she was watching -- she knew what I did was wrong, and just as important, she was paying close attention to how I handled my error. Confess and seek forgiveness or cover and make excuses -- it's a choice we make in these types of situations. Fortunately I did the right thing even in my error. How do you handle your errors? Is there anything you need to clear up and take responsibility for right now?
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