It’s been longer than three weeks at this point, but who can’t relate?! Talking to ourselves, talking to inanimate objects, our standards have been lowered considerably regarding various things, and our priorities have definitely changed. Despite how much we all dislike lockdowns, they have forced us to re-evaluate things in our life. What is important? Do we really need this or that? How can we all get along when we don’t have any time apart? Is it really necessary to argue over this? How do we find a solution? How do we compromise? Living together 24/7 makes us change how we behave. Not having stores, extracurricular activities, school, etc. makes us change the way keep ourselves busy. Everything about lockdown makes us change the way we behave and the way we think.
But has it changed the way we view other people? You see, as humans, we tend to judge others. Some of us judge more than others, but we all do it. Lockdowns have only made that tendency much worse. We judge the people protesting lockdowns, accusing them of not caring and wanting people to die. We judge those that are taking stimulus payments, saying they are lazy. We judge those that want everyone to stay home because they don’t care about people losing their business. We judge people with masks, saying they should leave them to healthcare workers, then judge people at the store without a mask, saying they are trying to infect everyone. It goes on and on and on. What makes it even worse is that we will take contradicting stands on the judgements. Don’t believe me? Just watch your social media feeds or listen to the news.
As Christians, we are to look at others through the eyes of Jesus, with love. We are to treat others with love. We are not to try to make others fit into our own expectations and requirements.
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11 ESV
During this time of pandemic, how are we speaking about our neighbors? Are we speaking against them?
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Are our social posts and conversations reflecting words that build up? Or are we seeking to destroy those that think and act differently than we do? How would we feel if we found others were doing it to us?
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:10 ESV
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:31 ESV
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
James 2:8
