It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Tim 2:11-13)
Confusing? Not really. Whether we believe or not, our Lord is faithful. All of his promises will be kept - even to those who do not believe. Anyone who calls on his name will be heard. "Where's the justice in that? I've spent my life believing and worshiping God, and you're telling me that the murderer on death row headed to the chair can call upon the name of the Lord and be saved?" The answer to that question is YES! The serial killer, the terrorist, the atheist - they can call to him and he will hear them! Every person (not just the "good" ones) has the ability to call on the Lord and have him answer. Remember, God sees sin as sin - there is no greater or lesser sin. We are all sinners. We all must go to him through Jesus to be cleansed.
When we look at the sins of others and try to put them in perspective with our own "sins", we are taking the focus off of ourselves. We are wasting time on something that is not our "job", nor is it our right to do - judging others. It's next to impossible to avoid it completely. It's hard to constantly remain focused on ourselves when we live in a society that teaches us to lay the blame anywhere but on our own actions or inactions. Believing is only the beginning of our journey. Acceptance and submission to his will and his ways is what we do once we believe. Its where we must let go of the anger towards others who have more than we do, the ones who get the "breaks", the ones who have more talent in certain areas, the "lucky" ones who do not fear the Lord. I don't want to show up at the end of my life and have any more to answer for than I already do. So even when I cannot avoid Satan's temptations, when I cannot say "no" and when my heart is filled with anger and contempt for those around me who constantly humiliate and belittle me (some without even realizing it) - I ask for forgiveness, I ask for strength and I ask for his help!
The "things" that are impossible to let go of in this world, are not impossible to God. When we grab back the control, we push away the blessings. Like the pilot who has lost instrumentation and must have faith in the ground controller, we must have faith in our Creator in order to descend through the clouds and land safely. We can become disoriented in the haze and darkness, but he knows the way. He will carefully guide us to where we need to be.
Put aside the things that draw you away from him. Give back the control and accept the blessings. Hold out for the best gift possible. Let the job of judging belong to the King and accept the life on this planet that is given to you. Do not envy those who seem to have more, or appear to have it easier. Know that what you have is exactly what God wants you to have - nothing more, nothing less. Many times you will find that what "they" have has not come from God. Let his mercy and grace sustain you and know that it is more than enough and more than you deserve!
