December 20, 2015:  SOAP #2208:  

Scripture:  John (NIV) 7:51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”

Observation:   The Temple Guards had been sent to arrest Jesus but had returned to the Chief Priest and Pharisees to report they had no reason to arrest him.  It made them angry but one of them, Nicodemus, had the above question.  In our nation we have had several such incidents recently.  A young serviceman supposedly held by the enemy was traded for war prisoners we were holding; he was brought home as a hero but now charges of treason are being considered!  Also, several recent incidents involved police officers who were publically accused of wrong doing, yet investigations showed differently.  In another the jury could not reach a clear decision.  Our leaders look foolish.

Application:   I must examine myself:  do I condemn others without hearing their side of the story?  It is so easy to jump to conclusions.  It is easy to go along with the public.  It is so easy to copy someone’s Facebook post without checking for the truth.  (Matthew 18:15-20 are the scriptural guidelines I should follow.)

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, stir in my spirit when I start to condemn someone without personally checking it out.  Make me an instrument of peace and not division.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!