Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, philosopher, historian, and teacher during the Victorian era. He often spoke before large audiences. One day, as he was preparing to leave his home to address a group, his mother asked him, “Where might you be going, Thomas?”
Thomas replied, “I’m going to tell the people what’s wrong with the world.”
“Aye, Thomas,” his mother responded, “But are you going to tell them what to do about it?”
Because we live in a fallen, broken, sin-filled world, we are surrounded by fallen, broken, sin-filled people. This, of course, makes it quite easy to find faults, from the frivolous to the fantastic. I am convinced that some have the “gift” of fault-finding, forever filling their world and the people around them with nit-picking negativity that dims the light, deflates the sails, and drains the joy.
But this is not for you!
Please don’t misunderstand me: constructive criticism and Christ-centered confrontation are often helpful and even quite necessary. But godly correction must always be delivered in an environment that is designed to bless, not burden—to build up, not to tear down. Remember, God-centered rebuke is the flip side of God-centered encouragement, and it is one of God’s great graces in the lives of His people.
However, you and I have met “sour” saints who specialize in crafting the critical spirit. They cannot get off the church parking lot after worship service without pointing out what was wrong with it . . .
· The sermon was too long
· The sanctuary was too cold
· The lights were too bright
· The music was too contemporary
· The music was too traditional
· The lady on my left must have used a whole bottle of perfume
· The man to my right should have used a whole bottle of cologne
· The person in front of me is always the one lifting his hands when we’re singing
· The person behind me is always startling me with one of those unexpected “amen’s”
You have never met a person who was not flawed—including you! So instead of looking for all that is wrong, broken, and not working, why not resolve to be counted among the faithful few who are good-finders rather than fault-finders? Let us not be like the Pharisee who thanked God he was not like other men, making himself feel better by putting another down. Rather, let us be like the tax collector who saw himself for what he truly is: the chief sinner.
Here is a novel concept: find someone close to you doing something good, right, or beneficial and tell them so. After they get over the initial shock, they will log it in their mental bank and at some future time when they need a little boost, they will draw on it.
I want to take you to a portion of Scripture that was teaching a much deeper message from our Master, but it makes the point of good-finding.
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
The Pharisee pointed to her past; Jesus pointed to her present. The Pharisee focused on her problems; Jesus focused on her possibilities. The Pharisee put her down; Jesus pulled her up. This is the confession of the life of the Pharisee . . . and this is the confession of the life of Jesus.
What is the confession of your life? By God’s grace, may it be one that clearly identifies you as a good-finder.
This is the gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 