The Importance of not being judgmental of others
The Importance of not being judgmental of others
I think it is important for the followers of Jesus to be non-judgmental with people whether they are Christians or not. And that it is important we not condemn people to the hell fire and say such and such is not from the Church or whatever the case may be. For Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1)
According to the Bible all of us will one day be standing before God, so remember these words of Jesus, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matt 5:7) Therefore we should have mercy on those around us, so on that day when we are before God perhaps He will have mercy on us. Let us not forget that all of us regardless of our action were made in the image of God.
Some Christians, before receiving communion they process their belief that, “Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.” When one reflects on the meaning of this, along with the above verses, one can’t help but realize, “How can I condemn him or her, when I myself am a sinner?” And remember what Jesus said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)
Some may argue well such and such is not a believer, he is not saved. Yes this may be true now, but we don’t know the state in which we will die. That person may not be saved (now) and you saved (now), however 10 years from now you may have give up the religious life and be one condemned to the hellfire and that person may adopt the religious life and be saved. Thus what Jesus said would be true and a manifestation of his words would come to life, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1) An important wisdom that we can learn from this, we don’t know if we are truly saved until we die and met our Lord, so refrain from judgment.
Some argue that they can judge because we are told to judge a tree by its fruits. Those who have say such as proof do so out of context, for this relates to those with whom you take religious and spiritual knowledge. Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matt 7:15-16)
People will still insist that we should judge them, but isn’t Jesus the best of judges. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say unto me on that day, ‘Lord Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. ‘Away from me, you evil doers.’ ” (Matt 7:21-23)
Now doesn’t that bring chills to your soul. It is possible to be among those who profess, confess and witness in Jesus name (ie Christians) and yet be among those who Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers.” Jesus tell us how to prevent this from happening, “only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” And the will of the son is the will of the father, and His will is that you do not judge. Jesus says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1)
So the question is how do we refrain from judging in a practical way. In psychology, there is a thing called projection, it is a concept which states, you only see what you project. A thief can recognize a thief, a liar, liar and so forth and so on. So while I see these bad traits in this person, perhaps the Lord is trying to make me aware of the evil traits that exist within myself so that I may correct myself.
Another practical way of refraining for judging is holding the belief that God is testing you, and that He is only showing you a bad side of the person, because perhaps there is a good side to that person as well. There are two ways to view your travels toward the Lord, through hope of God and fear of God, both are motivator. Sometimes we need encouragement (hope) and sometimes we need a kick in the butt (fear). I prefer to refer to them as my two feet, fear and hope. So you could say, we are both sinners, who need Jesus, (with fear working I say) perhaps his repentance is accepted and mine is not. (with hope working I say) perhaps both of our repentances are accepted by the Lord.
So Fear the Lord, for humility is the way of the righteous. “Blessed are those poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3) and blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5).” Those who condemn others are weak for it is harder to be humble thus humility is a sign of strength, so be with the strong, so that you may be given the best in this life and the next as the above verses indicate.
I hope and pray that the Lord makes us among the best of His servants, and that He makes us among those who are humble and righteous. Amen.
The Importance of not being judgmental of others
I think it is important for the followers of Jesus to be non-judgmental with people whether they are Christians or not. And that it is important we not condemn people to the hell fire and say such and such is not from the Church or whatever the case may be. For Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1)
According to the Bible all of us will one day be standing before God, so remember these words of Jesus, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matt 5:7) Therefore we should have mercy on those around us, so on that day when we are before God perhaps He will have mercy on us. Let us not forget that all of us regardless of our action were made in the image of God.
Some Christians, before receiving communion they process their belief that, “Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.” When one reflects on the meaning of this, along with the above verses, one can’t help but realize, “How can I condemn him or her, when I myself am a sinner?” And remember what Jesus said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)
Some may argue well such and such is not a believer, he is not saved. Yes this may be true now, but we don’t know the state in which we will die. That person may not be saved (now) and you saved (now), however 10 years from now you may have give up the religious life and be one condemned to the hellfire and that person may adopt the religious life and be saved. Thus what Jesus said would be true and a manifestation of his words would come to life, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1) An important wisdom that we can learn from this, we don’t know if we are truly saved until we die and met our Lord, so refrain from judgment.
Some argue that they can judge because we are told to judge a tree by its fruits. Those who have say such as proof do so out of context, for this relates to those with whom you take religious and spiritual knowledge. Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matt 7:15-16)
People will still insist that we should judge them, but isn’t Jesus the best of judges. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say unto me on that day, ‘Lord Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. ‘Away from me, you evil doers.’ ” (Matt 7:21-23)
Now doesn’t that bring chills to your soul. It is possible to be among those who profess, confess and witness in Jesus name (ie Christians) and yet be among those who Jesus will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers.” Jesus tell us how to prevent this from happening, “only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” And the will of the son is the will of the father, and His will is that you do not judge. Jesus says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1)
So the question is how do we refrain from judging in a practical way. In psychology, there is a thing called projection, it is a concept which states, you only see what you project. A thief can recognize a thief, a liar, liar and so forth and so on. So while I see these bad traits in this person, perhaps the Lord is trying to make me aware of the evil traits that exist within myself so that I may correct myself.
Another practical way of refraining for judging is holding the belief that God is testing you, and that He is only showing you a bad side of the person, because perhaps there is a good side to that person as well. There are two ways to view your travels toward the Lord, through hope of God and fear of God, both are motivator. Sometimes we need encouragement (hope) and sometimes we need a kick in the butt (fear). I prefer to refer to them as my two feet, fear and hope. So you could say, we are both sinners, who need Jesus, (with fear working I say) perhaps his repentance is accepted and mine is not. (with hope working I say) perhaps both of our repentances are accepted by the Lord.
So Fear the Lord, for humility is the way of the righteous. “Blessed are those poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3) and blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5).” Those who condemn others are weak for it is harder to be humble thus humility is a sign of strength, so be with the strong, so that you may be given the best in this life and the next as the above verses indicate.
I hope and pray that the Lord makes us among the best of His servants, and that He makes us among those who are humble and righteous. Amen.