Tag: criticize

It can be easy sometimes to criticize other Christians. I know I do.

Sometimes we look at the people we disciple or the people in our church. Sometimes we look at Christians in the news. We see the things they do, and we get angry or frustrated with them.

But Paul says,

…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

Paul doesn’t tell us to work out other people’s salvation. He tells us to work out our own. And we are to do so with fear and trembling. Why?

Because if we are honest with ourselves, the only reason we can stand before God is because of his grace.

That should cause us to tremble before God, in fear and thanksgiving. Fear, because we know that we deserve nothing but judgment from him. Thanksgiving because he instead shows us grace.

And as we tremble before God’s grace, it makes us that much more inclined to show grace and patience to the Christians around us.

So rather than criticizing other Christians, let us look at ourselves. Tremble in fear. Tremble in gratitude.

And know that in us and the Christians around us, God is working in us to will and to act according to his good purpose. None of us are complete or perfect yet. But as Paul said in chapter 1,

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)