When I think of a judge I think of a man or woman in a black robe, with a gavel sitting behind the bench in court. The judge, the ultimate authority, the one that holds your fate in his hands.
Over the last week the subject of judging has been on my heart...
Why is it as Christians so many of us feel the need to judge? I had a conversation with a very dear friend over the weekend. One who I know believes in God, someone who truly believes and yet doesn't go to church because of the hurtful, judgmental things that have been said to her and her family by fellow believers, her brothers and sisters in Christ! How can I blame her for not wanting to go back to church?
The thing that has been echoing in my heart over the last few days is the one man who had every right to judge us... Jesus, son of God, who knows our deepest hurts and needs and yet even He didn't judge. Think about the woman by the well... (John 4) Jesus knew her secrets. He knew she was a sinner, she had some ugly skeletons in her closet and yet he still loved her. He still wanted the best for her.
Yet, somehow as Christians so many of us feel we have the "golden ticket". Say what you want, even if it is hurtful. How many believers are not going to church, not witnessing to non-believers because of the hurts caused by their brothers and sisters in Christ? This only addresses the believers... it's no wonder our world is where it is, with such a negative opinion of the "church".
We judge our pastors, politicians, neighbors, friends, that very nice homosexual couple down the street, our children's teachers... the list goes on and on...
Christ has called us to a higher standard!
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged." -Luke 6:37
I don't think the scripture could make it much more clear than that "Do not judge..."
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else..." Romans 2:1
Again... pretty clear... "no excuse"
Lord, make me mindful of my judging, for YOU are the ultimate judge... the one with the golden gavel! Make me more like your son...
I agree with you in large part but one thing we can not forget is we also need to make judgments regarding who we associate with and spend out time with. We must make judgments every day and stay clear of those that are not good influences or could do us or our loved ones harm.
ReplyDeleteIt seems the prohibition on making judgment has limitations. Maybe the division is on making judgments for God on who is a good/bad Christian and worthy of His love. That is ground that we do not need to enter.
As for the other, we need His help to discern who it is appropriate for us to spend out time with, who is a positive influence for us and who we can be a positive influence for.
He goes one step further in scripture and requires us to forgive or we will not be forgiven.
You go girl! I'm proud! We are NOT to judge, we have no right. The biggest fault in the church today is bigotry (in the name of Christianity). You're right, the list is long (too long)& we are driving away too many.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next blog...follow your heart - Christ is speaking to it.