Judge

I knew when I read the title of the sermon "Judging Others" that this was one of those lessons that would grip me in the heart of my soul. No matter how often I hear it and read it ...I still have a hard time obeying it. For everyday it seems I am judging something or someone..in some way or another that does not jive with what I know or how I know I am suppose to look at them. A yuck thing to admit but truth to the core. Though I strive in my human capacity (a lot of times but clearly not always) to do what's right and treat others right...I always fall short. The verses are familiar to most of us...and the meaning is somewhat clear...but "somewhere" in my life way my actions and words get tangled up in the self righteous, indignant pursuit of self edification and I lose sight and focus of the way I know I am suppose to view others...through the eyes of Jesus.

Matthew 7:1-5
Judging Others 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

There were three basic comments that our Associate Pastor Rev Harris made....each truths.
1) There is a type of judgment that corrupts....that is the one I so often fall into...Calvin... a noted and respected theologian in the1600's calls it a disease. A disease that corrupts relationships with others, corrupts our true identity in Christ, and corrupts our thinking. We take delight in seeing others faults and weaknesses....because it make us feel better and elevates us to a position of superiority.
It is so true....when I pull out my judging wand....I am waving it over someone whose imperfections I have chosen to spotlight...forgetting that the spotlight is shining even brighter on me.....for even pointing theirs out. For the faults and weaknesses I see in others are usually the ones that I am entangled with myself....I just don't much like to admit it..but it is soo true. I do intentionally, oh that sounds so awful, allow my thoughts to elevate me through the breaking down and tearing down of others...(not so much in what I say but in what I think) ...now seriously what is the good and the purpose of that? All it does is personify a false facade...that not only am I buying into but I am expecting others to buy into it as well. Gossiping falls right in line with this corruption.

2) There is judging that heals....there is always a truth and a falsehood lurking... we have to make a decision as to which side we will embrace.
If we are willing to admit and recognize out own inability to "be" perfect....and establish a humility and trust and honest intent to try to allow God to transform me from the inside out...it is then that I am able to offer gentle judgment on behalf of someone else. Gentle words of direction based on the truth that I know and have learned from lessons that God has and is teaching me. But I first have to be willing to accept that same truth for my life. Judging that heals is having an honest regard for the good of another....with no back lighted agenda. If we try to change someone else without recognizing that we too need to be changed and transformed we are hypocrites.

3) There is judgment that changes hearts...we can try hard...and try even harder to be better...and "do" things that are worthy and act out deeds that are worthy, and hang around people who have worthy goals...but that is what the Pharisees did....it was all about what "they" "did" on the outside. It was all for show...and elevation of self...and self righteousness. We have already been judged....one final judgment has been made for all those who believe in Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter what man thinks or what man says...or how he judges us...what matters is what God says, what God does... and he has done it. If we want to change and be changed and transformed..then we have to experience the grace that God has given us through the life and death and resurrection of his son Jesus. If God is for us who can be against us?

Romans 8:31-35

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

We don't have to continue to put up this screen of judgment to make ourselves better...we have been judged by the best, the perfecter of all living things......and we lie in goodness of what has been done on our behalf. Harris said, "Jesus just didn't get us back to line zero....but he gave us HIS perfect record".

If we just continue to experience God's grace he will weaken this contagious disease of judgment that we have grown accustomed to dealing with. He will help us from the inside out to be transformed and generate a healthy attitude of love and acceptance and appreciation for what he has already done for us through Jesus. And our judgment, instead of being motivated by self righteous attitude of superiority, will be based on gentleness with a foundation of truth....His truth.

Yeah, it got me....this sermon was right on target and hit me hard. I need to remember this each morning when I wake and start my day and each evening when I lay my head on my pillow and thoughts of the day and people and circumstances come wandering through my mind We are all striving to be good and honorable and but It was such a welcomed reminder that good and honorable comes founded and rooted in true humility in the fact that we have accomplished nothing on our own....nothing ....and if by God's will we have found a way to be productive, to be successful, to be decent and loving individuals....we owe it to the fact that God sent his son to do what no one else on this earth could have even done....and that is to die in sacrifice for the judgments that "we" deserved...and be the atonement that would serve to allow us the relationship with God His father that we have today.

Oh Lord, How I need your transforming love to be within me...working everyday. Help me to abide by your truth...to live by it and judge according to it but with a gentleness and humility that reflects that I too am willing to be transformed.

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!