C HIP N IGHTINGALE
Often, a great way to approach people who have offended us is to ask them what’s going on with them. Are there any frustrations or struggles at home or with their kids? Are they having trouble providing for their families? Understanding the situation completely will make us a lot more compassionate. We can approach the situation in a way that is impartial, sincere, and open to reason. The Bible tells us that when we judge our neighbors, we’re sitting in judgment on God’s law itself. We don’t have the right to determine what other people’s sins or intentions are. Invariably, God will judge the slanderer instead. Therefore, we must learn to go to other people in love when there is a problem. If another Christian comes to you because he or she sees evidence of commandment-breaking in your life, you had better be listening. If you’re the one doing the approaching, you have a responsibility as well. First Corinthians 13:4 –7 tells us, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” When we approach someone in love, we are patient and kind. We aren’t eager to point out the other person’s flaws or boast about our own righteousness. We express our concern while conveying our love and respect for our Christian brother or sister. We let the person know how excited we are about the work God is doing in his or her life and how much we believe in him or her. A change in
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