Glass Houses

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11 ESV). The saying goes, “people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.” It is a relatively new urban proverb that has come to mean “one should not criticize others for faults that they have themselves. Our reading today is an incredibly plain declaration that points us to the kinds of lives we are to have in our relationships to fellow believers. Contrary to this encouragement from the apostle, some of the most hurtful experiences in our lives come from the least likely of people and places. We would think that the safest place for us to be is in our family or faith community; and yet, it is those two places we are most often wounded. This is especially true in the church. Nearly every week I talk with someone who tells me they have been "hurt by the Church." Every time I hear these words, my heart breaks because I know exactly what they mean. The real question is what can we do to heal those hurts and return to healthy relationships? Here are some suggestions that have helped others in the past: First, stay connected to the Lord. It is always a great temptation to withdraw. That is the easiest path to follow; it is also the most likely to slowly erode your ability to experience the healing love that comes from a community that is connected to the power of the Holy Spirit. There is a caution I would give you at this point. Jumping from one church to another is rarely the answer. It may be that you will need to find another community of faith; however, you should leave with humility and blessing, not pride and anger. Second, pursue personal purity in your faith and practice. If your disagreements are based in your interpretation of Scripture, take the high road and realize that while it is your responsibility to share your beliefs with others, it is not your responsibility to chasten them. That is God’s prerogative alone. Third, trust in the promise that God will bring His love to prevail. In your life, love regardless. To love someone is to seek his best. I can love someone without even liking him. I can find someone frustrating, but still genuinely and truly want what is best for them. Love does not mean avoiding tough conversations or life-on-life accountability, but doing those sorts of things from a loving, humble, gracious, and patient position which is from a mind and heart like Christ’s. Remember, we all live in a glass house. Live like it; love one another in all things!