By learning from it and choosing to heed it, can I act in a more positive way in my life?

How will it bring me closer to G-d?

How will it bring me closer to people?

How will it help me share the love of Messiah with others?

Now, let’s answer other questions:

Was the brother justified in feeling betrayed by his father whom he felt gave undo attention to his “bad” brother?

What attributes did the father exhibit?

In this situation would you have pleased G-d and acted like the boy’s father or would you have felt justified in “being right” and acted badly like the brother did? Why?

We are not to “play G-d”, yet we do it all the time when we judge someone. How? When we judge someone we do three things. 

1)       We place ourselves above them as if we were his or her god

2)       We condemn them

3)       We create the standard

If we want to please G-d and be used in His Kingdom, then we need to hel p t his person. How? 

1)       We do not place ourselves above them, but identify with them as fellow sinners who are also subject to temptation . This is humbling but it is the right thing to do .

2)       We need to pray for ourselves to change if that is G-d’s will.

3)       We do not condemn them with guilt trips or bring shame. As fellow sinners we are just as guilty.

4)       We do not set the standard. G-d does. We simply hel p t hem to repent.

Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are G-dly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Romans 2:1-4 You may be saying, "What terrible people you have been talking about!" But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things. And we know that G-d, in His justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Do you think that G-d will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient G-d is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?

G-d says that He will judge you with the same standard that you use to judge others. Therefore, would it not be best NEVER to judge anyone, but leave that to G-d?

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