Can We Believe In Christ’s Transforming Actions Without Judging?
Good Morning Friends,
When we see a person in sin, we do not know how hard they have tried not to sin. We do not know the power of the forces that are prompting the sin and we do not know what we would have done in the same circumstances. With that in mind it should be difficult for us to discriminate against a person based on the behavior we see. Thankfully God has set forward rules to guide behavior in a better direction and nudges us through the Spirit to love people into turning direction before undesired consequences result. Still, disapproving in a disparaging way of another’s behavior is typically seen as being politically incorrect.… even when turning to a different way is clearly wisdom. Being critical of others has consequences too. Still, Can We Believe In Christ’s Transforming Actions Without Judging?
Scripture: He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
Luke 6:39-42 (NRSV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14 (NRSV)
Message: The stakes are high when we consider the fate of a nation, a community, a family, a friend. But as soon as we take a stand on any issue, we risk being judgmental and politically incorrect. But today’s scripture does not say we are not to judge but when combined with other scripture implies that it comes with consequences. If I gave you a list of names of people, for example: Hillary Clinton, O.J Simpson, Billy Graham, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, Barak Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey, Mister Rogers and Donald Trump. Each of them is known publicly, and even internationally for their exploits in life. Some good and others bad. Alive or dead, they are known either by their personality or what they have done. They are known for their character or conduct, attitude or actions. And this elicits a feeling inside of us that seems true in all of us. But if we have been known as being a bad individual, or for making some horrendous mistakes, we may well wonder if there is any hope for us to ever change our course. Taking the lumber out of our eyes is hard work and we may conclude that we and others never really change. Productive discourse is difficult in this kind of environment. And we face it today. But as Christians we are not to be just spectators. Political correctness does not require us to approve of what other people believe and do. We are to love the sinner and hate the sin. When it came down to people’s lives Jesus was not always politically correct. In community we walk a fine line between making judgements and not being judgmental. For there is a higher calling than pointing out people’s sins. If we have too rigid a belief system, we may have trouble loving God and others. We are therefore to judge our beliefs. We are not to pick nits. We are to use our heads and hearts. Yes, we are to judge the sin in a person’s life and lovingly and gently restore them. But first we must judge our beliefs and motivations to see clearly. We are to test everything and hold fast to what is good.
And So, we will all be judged by Jesus but hopefully also transformed by love. We are to experience the amazing work of Grace through the power of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul’s is perhaps one of the greatest examples of the change that Jesus Christ can make in one’s life. The transforming power of Jesus is clear in the scriptures. Jesus judges us considering his great work of grace. And that is the judgement that counts.
Pray we see clearly and completely and compassionately. Pray we judge not by appearances but with the mind of God. Pray we seek to free people to live lives of love. Pray we realize that when we make judgments about people, we really reveal a lot about our relationships with Christ and our heart. Pray we therefore be judged by our care and compassion…by our love and concern for others. Pray we realize that being judgmental may not be just. Pray we realize that we see the outward person but not the inner life of others. Pray we judge rightly and love compassionately. Pray we not judge a book by its cover, but open and read it. Pray we celebrate the incredible life transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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