SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:37-42
What gives me the right to stand in judgment over someone else?
If I myself am limited (blind) or have issues (pieces of wood), how can I lead others?
Human judges and teachers are not better than others; we’re all equally human.
God created us to bless (build up) others, but humans seem to prefer curse (bring down) others.
When we bless, we are blessed; when we forgive, we are forgiven, when we give, we also receive.
But when we judge, we are judged; when we withhold forgiveness or blessing; we lose it ourselves.
Jesus is pointing us back to who (and how) God created us to be.
He lives this way, and He makes it possible for us to live this way (with the Spirit’s help).
Anytime I have an opinion about someone else, I am acting as if I am a judge, or a teacher, better than…
Think about your opinions about others – are you really in a position to know, to discern, to judge?
Only when I have addressed and solved all my own issues will I be in a position to point at others… in other words, NEVER.
This doesn’t mean I can’t discern right from wrong, good from bad; but it is not ours to judge people.
It IS ours to bless, to forgive, to serve, to help, to build up, to challenge (in humility and love).
If we warn, admonish and challenge others, we do so as fellow sinners, as the blind leading the blind.
Always aware that only God really knows, only God can judge fairly.
And always aware that God’s mercy triumphs over His justice – for us and others!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, I know that a lot of people do stuff that is wrong. But so do I. I don’t have time to focus on other’s sins, I’ve got enough of my own. Thank You for Your mercy, may we be merciful to each other too!