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What’s The Problem?
By G. Neil Armstrong
Whose problem is it, anyway? More commonly today and is likely to be an age-old problem is that a vast majority of the people who genuinely care for each other are astute to bring to each others’ attention and to point out a fault or a sin blemish, most likely for to help or to improve upon the loved one; to help them to become better. What then, is the problem?
The problem is all over the place. If someone can recognize a blemish in someone else, it is an obvious indication that person has a personal experience with the same or similar blemish. So, what’s the problem? Even that question bears witness to at least one problem. How experienced and educated we are to detect an obstacle in someone else’s path, and yet we still of often trip over our own or similar stumbling blocks. How many times do we have in our heart of hearts a quick and sound suggestion for solution to that problem? Was that advice effective for the one who offered it? If it was effective, then the advice is good for the one who offered it and the loved one should at least try the same or similar for his own issue; if he accepts that it in fact an issue that should be addressed.
If someone points out a fault in someone else and does not have any suggestion for solution, it is clearly evident that person has unresolved fault in his own life and does not know how to correct it. This is called “projecting”, and it’s purpose is to draw attention away from his own issues that cause him embarrassment or shame. This ought not to be so.
Let’s take a look at the same thing from a different angle. How sure is “the man with the plan” that his fellow loved one has a problem at all? What was that? The offerer of advice had the same or similar vice? How sure can our “man with the plan” be that what he detects in his friend will bring a problem in the end? Is yeast bad for both cakes and pan cakes?
If I stretch meat, roast it or steam it, rub lots of salt into it and dry it out… if I handle this meat with such a degree of toughness, this same meat will last a lot longer and it will even prove to provide even more nutritional value than that savory, juicy steak. So, which way seems right in the eyes of the chef? Which way is right who eats it?
Meat for a mighty man could quite certainly be poison to a vegetarian. Which diet is wrong? In Romans 14, Paul explains that each person esteems in his own heart what is or is not sin. In fact, all throughout the Bible we have example after example of this very truth.
Study this
out and live for it. It’s good to talk to your friend about an issue that has
an ill effect, but it’s not a sin unless it’s not of faith (Romans
