Half-hearted

Last night, I installed some blinds in our master bath. I had to step in the tub and left a few spots, but figured next bath time the running water will wash it off. My wife noticed it and commented. I did not think it was a big deal. Later, I half-heartily decided to clean up the smudges. Then I went into the kitchen and I asked her to do something (can’t exactly remember what) and she did not do it. This thought came to mind, “I put law on myself in the master bathroom.”

I was reminded of Christ saying in Matt. 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” I thought the Lord was referring only to not judging others, but it doesn’t say that. It says, “Do not judge…” I was reminded of Peter in Galatians 2:11 (ESV), “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.” He stood condemned or was “self-condemned.” He was under law in some areas of his life apparently and Paul opposed him to his face in front of everyone. Wow.

I think what happened was I cleaned the tub because I thought I had to. Cleaning the tub was like bringing a sacrifice or gift to the brazen altar in the outer court of the tabernacle. Heb. 10:5 says God does not desire sacrifice and offerings, but willingness. The willingness though is not my willingness, but His willingness in me. Heb. 10:10, “And by that will (of Christ), we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” This is by grace through revelation of Him based on hearing and hearing His word. Paul says in 1 Cor. 4:4 that he does not even judge himself.

If I stand condemned then naturally I would expect others to stand under my self-imposed law. I think this could be looked at as judging others. In my opinion, this is not God’s will.