A Higher Standard

I've been dealing with a lot of things lately in respect to how people live...and how Christians are supposed to live. I definitely fall short in this (and every--) category, but I think awareness of this is key. Every time I've turned around this week, I have been confronted with "the Christian standard." It's so easy to be judgmental with this, and to let Satan get a toehold on your pride with this one. It has already happened to me.
But the emphasis is not on my sin, but on God's grace. The Bible clearly says that God's grace is made evident to all people. That's hard for me to swallow, personally--because of emphasis on missions. But I don't think I will ever understand that, and it's okay. We aren't meant to understand it all. We aren't God.
But if God's grace has been made evident, it means that how we live is a response to that, right? Maybe that thought isn't lucid, but it's hard to explain. I've been reading good bit of Paul's writings lately...how sincere and honest this man is. Philippians and Titus have to be two of the most powerful sources for addressing these issues in my life.
Just because "Christians" aren't living by the standard doesn't mean that they don't know Christ as Saviour. People can change. And I trust that somehow God can use this deliberate sin for His glory in the future. Even though it hurts to see it and it almost kills to live around it. But I do love these people because they are brothers and sisters in Christ -- and most importantly because the Lord loves them.
God please make your grace evident to them once again. Please humble me and help me to be more in touch with who you are rather than who I am.
I love you Jesus, with all of my heart. Or at least I want to.