The other day I was going from one town to the next. Well I got behind a person who would speed up then slow down. The speed limit is 55 and I expect you to go that speed or pull over and let me around. Well this person would fluctuate from 40 to 55. Eventually for whatever reason she was going almost 65. I did not change my speed and actually caught up to her a few miles down the road.
At this point in time, the speed limit had dropped to 35, but was the person going 35, no. They were going from 20 to 35, but it was inconsistent like before. This person is driving in he left lane, so I go pass on the right. I guess I made that person mad because their speed increased a lot. I was forced to get behind this person. Eventually the person gets over into the right lane. I pass and I get an angry person who is yelling at me. I chuckle and then decide to do the most Christian thing on the face of planet. I flipped that person off. Way to go on my part.
I guess that made them even madder, because now their speeding. I get over in the left lane and the person flies around me in the turn lane, the one where you can enter the middle lane to turn but cars can be coming from either direction. I could have sped up to act even more Christian, but I do not. I let them pass.
Now they are going to 15 miles per hour because they are in front of me and think I really care about their behavior or that they are really preventing me from getting to my destination. At the light, the person goes straight and as I pass I see that person clapping. I do the next most Christian thing and make a finger gun. The child in the back seat flips me off.
My thought was great parenting skills there. Way to teach your child. Then is kind of hit me all at once. Was I any better? No. In fact as a supposed Christian I was far worse. I did not know this persons beliefs, but I knew mine. While I mentioned those acts were Christian, I hope you realized the sarcasm in those statements. I was anything but.
Christ got mad, but only when people offended God. He never did anything to protect Himself. It was always about defending God. I am supposed to represent Christ, but I was not loving towards my neighbor. I let anger cause me to sin. I became somewhat judgmental. There are a host of things that was unChristian like.
Does God expect perfection? I do not believe so. I believe that He expects us to acknowledge when we have sinned against Him and others. He expects us to take responsibility for our actions to admit we have sinned. If God made everything, then did I flip-off and act like a jerk towards God? I believe so.
So while at times it is hard to act kindly towards others, remember that when you behave in a certain way towards others, you are also acting that way towards God.