Sunday, August 12, 2012

Don't Judge Me!

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

Sometimes as a Christian person I get caught up in the world around me.  I start to see how unfair people can be to one another and my heart starts to hurt for the one I feel is being treated "unfairly".  After all I have done my fair share of sinning; who am I to judge anybody?  My sin may be different than yours; but we are all very aware that God sees all sin the same.  We may be so aware of this, in fact, that these verses and ones like it have become a "free pass" to be less of a person that what God intended us to be. 

Anytime I struggle with something in my life I know one thing for sure...someone else out there is struggling with it too.  I struggle with sin daily.  I get caught up in wanting what others have and cursing when I loose my temper...and that is just the start of it! Maybe you have these issues in your life?  Maybe you struggle with your walk with God because you are hanging onto something and you enjoy it.  You don't see where this is causing any harm; so why is it a sin? Well simple answer...because God said so.  And although you may not see the harm it causes you or the people in your life...God does.  My point is that you must understand that God sees the bigger picture and you have to develop a trust in his will beyond what you understand in order to truly give him control.  When you let him control your life suddenly those things you felt you couldn't give up go out of focus and your mind set changes.  How do I know this...because I am a sinner; and I go through the process of giving my heart and mind to God daily. My hope is that he continues to be patient and graceful while I stumble through this life.

All this talk about sin and God's grace brings me to what is truly on my mind.  It seems here lately I hear a lot of the phrase, "Don't judge me! Who are you to judge? God is my only Judge!"  I have just been thinking about how many times I hear this and shamefully how many times I have said it myself!  The verse above has become a highlight of many sinners. It is probably the one verse we can quote from the bible. It's a defense mechanism that is only exacerbated by people who truly do look down upon others only to make themselves feel better.  I know you must be asking yourself...is she insinuating it is okay to judge others? God has clearly told her not to do so!" And the answer is... absolutely not. But I am going to ask you to turn in your free pass to sin. Why? Why do I care? Because I know what God wants for you and why he wants it. I know how great his plans are for you and your family. And I know once you give into him completely you will know a joy and comfort you have never known before! I care because I love you in Christ.

What is the answer here? You're either judging or you're minding your own business! Well, not true.  There is another verse in the bible you may mot be so familiar with...let me share.

"My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." James 5: 19-20

It is our duty as christians to "have each other's backs".  The problem is making sure that you are a christian who is reaching down to help a fallen brother or sister back up; and not one who is pushing them down so that you can feel superior.  That my friends is the difference in accountability in Christ and judging others who fall short.

No matter which side of this equation you fall on (the fallen or the helper) be sure that you are going to God daily in prayer and you do all things in his name. When your heart is pure and you are genuine in your actions only goodness can find it's way into your actions.  Find a way to reach out to others and draw them to God not push them away. Most of our actions are very transparent to others.  When someone sees you in action "for Christ" be sure they see a genuine effort of love.

Prayer: Dear God help me to be someone who reaches down to pull up my brothers and sisters who need it.  Not someone who pushes others down so that I may feel better about myself.  Help me to identify when I have fallen short and another Christian is trying to help me back up.  Help me to swallow my pride and see their actions as acts of love for you and concern for me. -Amen