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Differing Weights

 The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. (Proverbs 20:23)

          When listening to lectures about culture, I learned that there are cultures that maintain that we should consider the situation of the criminal or rule breaker. A college student from South America may, for example, think the university should give him a break when it comes to paying tuition. They shouldn’t charge him the late fee they charge American students, because it isn’t his fault the tuition money is late. His bank, and the bureaucracy of international financial transactions are to blame, not he.

          I’ve also heard reports from relatives of a young man who was killed while breaking into a home. The homeowner should have considered what life was like for the would-be burglar.

          Now, we tend to do a little of this. Children aren’t usually treated like adults when they commit crimes. Those who are mentally ill, or incapable of understanding are generally not treated the same way. But we never way that what they did is OK because they’re only kids. Likewise, we don’t feel right about the idea of star athletes being allowed to commit rape because they have a bright future ahead of them. In general, we agree with the Lord about differing weights and dishonest scales, and especially so if we are the victims.

          That tends to change when we are the guilty ones. Suddenly, “I didn’t mean to,” and “It wasn’t my fault,” are phrases that should get us off the hook. If we confess our sins, God has to forgive us, doesn’t He? That means we can do as we wish. Right? But God detests differing weights and dishonest scales. We pray “forgive us our debts as we forgive others…”

          Do you give grace to others for the things you’d prefer they gave you grace for? Do you give grace to yourself for things you give grace to others? Do you judge yourself as guilty as you judge others for the same thing? I’m not sure I really want to check my weights and scales, but it would do us good.

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