John 13:35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Recently I was involved in an unloving situations that made me ask myself this question: Can I stand on my own merit?
Merit is a word akin to character. If you have good merit, you have good qualities or traits that are desirable to others who see them.
Good Merit
Good merit is represented when a person does not gossip. A person who holds their tongue. A person who tries to create peace. A person who is willing to go to a person who they have a misunderstanding with and talk. A person who is not afraid to say they are sorry. A person who is not out of control. A person who handles situations in the correct order and does not immediately jump to the ‘CEO’ to complain. A person who does not complain, but tries to better the situation even if they are not the problem. A person who is above reproach. And many more traits.
Tarnished Merit
A person with tarnished merit is one who gossips. A person who does not think before they speak. A person who always wants their own way. A person who cannot see another’s point of view. A person who intentionally causes strife. A person who will not try to talk to someone to make it right. A person who will not ever say they are sorry. A person who is out of control or flighty. A person who does not handle situations in a appropriate manner. A person who complains. A person without integrity. A person who puts others in barns way, physically or emotionally. And many more traits.
Look in the Mirror
The hardest thing to do is look in the mirror and be truthful about your merit: does it shine or stink. Truthfully, we probably have both kinds, but I think we are prone to one or the other.
To determine which merit you possess, consider theses questions:
- Do people want to be around you? (Because you are an encourager)
- Do people ignore you when they walk by? (Because you are always complaining)
- Do people trust you with their deepest concerns and prayers. (Because you are trustworthy)
- Do people trust you with their kids? (That says a lot)
- Are you called to help when someone is in need? (Because you are dependable)
- Are you the ‘go-to’ person at work when something needs to be done? (Because you get things done)
Biblically, we can go to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and put our name in place of love.
Erin is patient.
Erin is kind.
Erin does not envy.
Erin does not boast.
Erin is not proud.
Erin does not dishonor others.
Erin is not self-seeking.
Erin is not easily angered.
Erin does not keep records of wrongs.
Erin does not delight in evil.
Erin rejoices in the truth.
Erin always protects.
Erin always trusts.
Erin always hopes.
Erin always perseveres.
Putting my name in it makes it more personal and makes me want to strive for it all the more. When I have blown it, putting my name in the verse is convicting and much harder to read. Try it.
Examine
So can you think of a situation recently that you might not have shown love? Maybe you were not protecting someone’s emotions and bawled them out. Maybe you harbor ill feelings and keep records of wrongs. Maybe you were not very kind to someone. Maybe you gave up. Maybe you were seeking your own way and steamrolled over someone without caring. Maybe you dishonored someone by the way you talked to them or about them. Maybe you did something and had no thought for anyone else in the situation.
Examining yourself honestly and truthfully is the only way to start polishing your tarnished merit to make it shine. The sad part is, many will not even bother to look at their deeds. They will be pierced in the heart when they replace love with their name, they won’t be able to say it out loud because it is a lie and they will not persevere to what God wants for them.
In Eternity
I’m so glad I do not have to be judged on my own merit in eternity. I know I mess up all the time and my character probably looks weak and dingy. When I meet the Lord, I have taken on Jesus’ merit because He offered it to me. He offers it to everyone. I will shine like the Son because that is who resides in me. Until then, I strive to reflect His character here on Earth.
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