Altar Call –
Opelika-Auburn News
Walter
Albritton
September 17,
2017
Redirecting energy
used in condemning others
I learned a good lesson when I was a
greenhorn preacher. In the first year of our ministry my wife and I had lunch
after church one Sunday in the humble home of Mrs. Emma Shepherd. The subject
of Oral Roberts’ healing ministry came up. Pontificating on the matter, I began
criticizing the popular television evangelist, ripping the dear man up one side
and down the other.
When I put down a period, there was
silence at the table. Mrs. Shepherd, the godly matriarch of a large family, had
listened patiently. Then in a firm but conciliatory voice, she said quietly,
“Now Brother Albritton, if you cannot say something nice about someone, you had
best say nothing at all.”
Her words cut like a knife and made me
blush with shame. I condemned no one else that day. I wish I could say “no one
since that day,” but I cannot. I can say that for more than 60 years I have
recalled Emma’s words many times as though she was still reminding me to cease
judging others.
I confess that I am quick to stand in
judgment of others, especially people who are cavalier about moral conduct
that, according to Scripture, is abhorrent to God. I am guilty of harshly
judging “the liberals” whose views are often different from my own.
In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul
reminds us that “God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of
all.” His words drive me to my knees when I consider how often I condemn others
for the same sins I struggle with in my own life. The words of Jesus remind me
not to become an expert in spotting “the speck” in my neighbor’ eye while blind
to “the log” in my own eye.
“Secret thoughts” remind me of a prayer
in our church’s liturgy: “Almighty God,
unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are
hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Wow! What a prayer! My heart is an open
book to God! He knows all my secrets! How arresting is that thought! I love
this prayer because it does not leave me in despair. It gives me hope that God
can cleanse my heart of my evil thoughts and my shameful criticism of others.
My judgment of others does not serve
God, nor honor Christ. My opinions do not bless the people who endure listening
to me sound off. People do not need my condemnation; they need my compassion,
encouragement and love. The energy I use in condemning others could be, should
be, redirected, channeled into deeds of love and mercy. Would to God I could
remember that when I am tempted to criticize! Lord, have mercy! Christ, have
mercy! + + +