Judgement

I think it would be difficult at times being a judge. I think that there are other times when the case would be very clear how the ruling should come down.  I make all sorts of decisions every day and some of them are based on information that I already have. Other decisions are made after studying all the information available to me.

I make judgements about people often from the very first time I meet them. I sometimes make a huge mistake judging people by their outward appearance.  For example, some people that look like they are very wealthy are often very levered or loaded with debt. The person that dresses humbly might be the wealthiest person in the community. The issue is my “snap judgement”. It is dangerous and can come back to bite me.

Jesus taught about judgement and I think He speaks clearly about it. He said don’t do it! Check this out….

¹“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. ² For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Matthew 7:1-2 NLT)

We often judge ourselves by our intentions and we judge others on their actions. This is wrong on many levels. I believe Jesus is speaking about judging people’s motives. I also make judgements about people without gathering all the data about them. If someone is caught stealing, they are a thief – that’s not me passing judgement – that’s me calling it straight.  I do think Jesus is trying to shape us to be kind and gracious toward one another. I have done some dumb things in my life and didn’t get caught. When someone else gets caught for doing something like that, I can get all haughty about it.

I want to simply walk in humble obedience to the Lord. I don’t want to act like a “know it all”. I don’t want to act like I’ve “got it all together” – because I don’t.  I want to be grateful for the life I’ve been blessed with. I want to be patient with others who don’t know the Lord. I want to remember what it was like being lost from the Lord.

I am not a law giver or a judge. I try to be a careful “judge of character” as I decide the persons that I’m going to spend time with. There are people I like, but their character is suspect.  I can look at a pear tree and decide if the fruit is good – it’s right there. In the same way, I can be a “fruit inspector” of the fruit of other’s behavior and decide what my relationship with them should look like.  When I see someone who’s made bad decisions, a phrase comes to my mind….” except for the Grace of God, that would be me”.  I know me and I know my sins and my struggles – I need the Lord to continue to shower me with love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Who am I that I should judge others?

Pressing On!

Dwayne