John 5:34. I say these things so that you may be saved.
“What will the neighbors say?” is an old refrain that
still echoes somewhere in the back of my head, and in truth, much of my
understanding of “who I am” has been shaped by approval or disapproval from
others. More often than not, I have feared being found lacking (someone once
told me I tended to examine my faults “under a microscope.”) Growing up, I
depended on my parents or grandparents (and Santa Claus) to decide if I was
“bad” or “good”—“okay,” or “not quite okay.” Star stickers, ribbons, medals,
grades, achievement and results became the indicators of how well I measured
up—if I was worthy of respect and approval—even love from others.
Along the way, I have come to learn that what ”the
neighbors” think is often wrong and that the fences I’ve constructed for
protection from revealing too much of myself kept me apart from those with whom
I yearned to be in closer relationship, especially God.
In John 5:30-47, Jesus reminds us that we will be saved by
our belief in Him, not human testimony (including our own). Earlier, He said
that even though John the Baptist had testified to the truth, His own testimony
was greater because the authority to judge had been given to the Son by the one
who sent Him.
So as children of God, we are justified by his Son and are
freed from the bondage of false judgment. To be slaves to self-doubt and human
judgments separates us from the love of God, who, through Jesus, graces us with
perfect freedom to be who we were created to be.
In the interest of compassionate and loving human
relationships, it is important to be aware of our shortcomings and consider
what our neighbors may think, but we need always to remember that God is our
ultimate judge. The Word of God is forever trustworthy and true. We are saved by
our faith in Him.
—Mary
Pneuman
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