The Benefit of the Doubt

​America. Time to wake up.
Our nation is rapidly descending into a pitch black, bottomless abyss of hopelessness and despair. Immorality, violence, crime, abuse, corruption, indecency, rebellion and disrespect for authority is crippling our once moral, decent, honorable, respectful country.
As a proud, patriotic, God loving, God fearing citizen of the United States, I am very concerned regarding the critical, judgmental attitudes and spiteful, hateful, vindictive, vengeful actions exhibited by some toward fellow citizens.
Many people in our country are harsh, hard-hearted, calloused, mean-spirited, cold and alarmingly short on granting others the benefit of the doubt. Across America, cutting people some slack is bordering on extinction in our supposedly enlightened culture.
Increasing numbers of individuals and entire segments of our society treat others, not the way they would like to be treated, but the very way they would not want to be treated.
Is there any hope for our nation that is quickly losing all sense of respect, honor, dignity and decency when dealing with others? I am glad you asked.
The Bible helps us with the remedy for our tendency to be hard on people. Jesus, God’s only Son and Savior of the world, taught you and me how to treat others.
“Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
Thank you Jesus. This is not complicated. Doesn’t require a committee or a “conversation” to investigate what Jesus means. Here it is: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Period.
Someone tagged this verse as The Golden Rule. Children are taught this timeless, “golden” truth in Sunday School and kid’s ministries. Adults often refer to The Golden Rule, especially when they want someone else to treat them in a certain way.
But how many people in our nation allow the golden rule to rule their lives?
Giving people the benefit of the doubt means giving people a chance.
I know what it feels like when folks do not cut me some slack. So do you. I don’t like it. Neither do you. So why do you and I treat others the same way? Shame on us. Ruined reputations, fractured friendships, estranged relationships, divisive factions, and lost livelihood are some of the many costs we cannot afford to pay.
There is no good thing about not cutting folks some slack!
Sadly today, our society has it backwards. People are often automatically presumed guilty before being proven innocent instead of being presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In am not proud of the fact that in times past I have not cut some people slack, not given the benefit of the doubt, not given them a chance to defend themselves. The Lord has forgiven me and I hope those I have judged improperly might to do the same.
Helpful Hints For Cutting Folks Some Slack 

• Wisdom watches and waits to get the whole story. Never presume, assume, prejudge or cast aspersions about others when you don’t know the facts and circumstances.   
• It is foolish to take on the role of judge, jury and verdict regarding other people’s lives that we know little or nothing about. Do not judge. Jesus said so in Matthew 7:1-6.
• Grace grants people the benefit of the doubt. Grace means I don’t deserve it, but God gives it, and so should I when others offend or sin against me.
• Be a merciful person. Mercy always looks for and extends slack to all who need it. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7).
• Lovingkindness keeps our hearts soft with compassion instead of hardened by a critical, judgmental spirit. Keep your heart tender towards God and people.
• Be more discerning when assessing a person’s situation. Do not be duped by “group think” and the court of public opinion splashed on social media by self-opinionated people bashers. Do not drink the Fool-Aid of foolish people.
• Earnestly and sincerely seek to identify with and be empathetic toward other people and their life situation. You don’t know what burdens and troubles people bear.
• Always, always, give the benefit of the doubt when possible. When tempted to not give the benefit of the doubt, don’t do it. Pause, Take a deep breath. Pray. Ask God for the proper response if it is necessary. Always cut folks some slack.
• As a Christian, make it your habit to treat others the way Jesus would. He always cuts people some slack because of His unconditional love for each one of us.  

Walk in another person’s shoes for a few miles before you knock the shoes they are wearing.
What would our world look like if we were less hard on one another, more gracious toward each other, and extended people who are just like us the love, mercy and lovingkindness the Lord gives to them?
I would like to give it a try, wouldn’t you?
God has cut you and me a lot of slack through His Son Jesus Christ. Shouldn’t those of us who claim His name do the same toward others who need the same benefit of the doubt we have experienced through personal faith in Jesus?
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
A Word For Your Week: Give others the same benefit of the doubt you would like from them.