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A Prayer for Repenting of Being a Selective Lover

     You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Rom. 2:1-4

Heavenly Father, thank you for a new day and a portion of your Word which reminds me I’ll need the gospel today, as much as any day. The call to love others as Jesus loves us keeps driving me to you for more grace, and for the power of the gospel. I cannot change myself.

Meditating on this passage has convicted me about being way too selective in my love for broken people. I’m a selective lover. I’m not an equal opportunity dispenser of your compassion.

Father, it’s not difficult for me to shower the riches of your kindness, tolerance, and patience on people whose sins and struggles are like mine. But I’m self-righteous and judgmental toward people who deal with brokenness and temptations different than mine. Though understandable, it’s not excusable. Have mercy on me, Oh God, and extend your mercy through me. I’m a mere man. No one has appointed me to be judge and jury of anyone.

May your great kindness lead me repent of my sin more quickly and more deeply. Help me grieve my heterosexual lust to a greater degree than I am offended by those who struggle with homosexual temptations and entanglements. Forgive me when I don’t grieve my cavalier attitude towards the poor, yet remain critical those who are outlandish in their spending ways.

Help me to be more quicker to own the ugly of my political party arrogance, than I am preoccupied with throwing cynical grenades at those across the aisle. May I see that my passive-aggressive anger is just as destructive as other people’s loud-and-large anger. Father, these are just a few things that quickly come to mind. I know there’s more in my life that’s repentance worthy.

Lord Jesus, I’m so thankful you willingly took the judgment I deserve on the cross—the fullness of God’s righteous wrath. And now you love me with the fullness of compassion, acceptance, and delight. The greatest non sequitur in life is for me to show contempt for the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience. Deepen my repentance and deepen my compassion for fellow broken sinners like me. So very Amen I pray, in your righteous and loving name.

 

 

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