judging – I AM for You!

Judging People is a sin. Judging sin is a kindness.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech are not challenged when I confess my own sins. In fact, people say it took a long time for me to realize what everyone else already knew. But if I say, The Bible says you are as much of a sinner as me, it is time to attack me, accuse me of evil motives and censor what “makes others uncomfortable.”

“If I profess with loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except that little point which the world and the Devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” ― Martin Luther, Quote taken from GoodReads Website.

A gunman enters a church makes an anti-christian statement and begins killing Christians. Though clearly the definition of a “hate-crime” as written in law, the police refused to call it that. It was never prosecuted as a “hate-crime” against Christians. Yet, if a Christian, who’s religious free speech is protected by the Constitution’s first amendment, points out that God tells us not to judge the L+ because we sin also (Romans 1:1 – 2:2), the L+ claim we hate them because we say they are sinning.

So, a man who kills Christians because he hates Christians is not charged with a “hate-crime.” And a man who quotes the Bible saying not to judge the L+ because we sin also, is guilty of a “hate-crime” because we identify their sins as equally destructive as our own.

To judge a person is a sin. To judge a sin is a kindness. And with kindness we ought to show the love and forgiveness of Jesus who forgave all sins for all time when He died on the cross and wants all to know He loves them just as they are. But He loves us too much to leave us as we are. He wants us to become like Him; loving, kind, joyous, peaceful, righteous, generous, merciful . . . . And I can’t do that if my god is myself. I have to surrender to Jesus and follow Him. Then I receive from the Father the Holy Spirit Who’s power raised Jesus from the dead and raises me to new life in Jesus.

Jesus loves you. That’s why He made you. He has done EVERYTHING so that you and Him can have a forever loving relationship. Won’t you surrender to Him now? He is waiting, right now, specifically for you.

I can’t hear you over my talking

Many people that I personally interacted with today are worried about what President-elect Donald Trump will do to them; their relationships, their bodies, their jobs. I didn’t understand until I thought: Would I be concerned about my religious rights and freedom of speech rights if Hillary Clinton had won? I am very scared of the trouble her presidency would have caused me and worried if I would be willing to stay true to Jesus in the face of unknown suffering.

These people are also tired of hearing, “Don’t worry,” “Get over it,” and other mindless remarks by friends, family, etc. that may show they don’t understand, don’t care or both.

What I am trying to do is listen with my heart for their heart. We are all people and we all have a story. If I interrupt, judge, give advice am I going to hear their story? Do I really just want to hear myself talk and confirm to myself how brilliant I am in my own eyes or do I want to discover another beautiful human being and their unique story?

Everyone’s opinion makes sense to them. If I listen long enough they may tell me why they feel the way they do. Today I heard why someone believes in doing something I wouldn’t do. And from their perspective it made sense.

This presidential election proved that most people want to be heard. And “the other side” has feelings and concerns that don’t make sense.

Until you listen.

Why not judge others?

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
We are to judge actions but not motives. We judge the what and not the why. The Bible judges many actions: murder, adultery, theft. But the person was created in the image of God and only God is all-wise and all-knowing enough to truly know why someone did something.

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
When you judge someone what you are really saying is that if you were in that person’s circumstances and you did what they did you would be thinking a certain evil. This would be based on the fact that you had a similar experience in the past. And so the measure you use for them is the measure you gave yourself.

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?
Instead of looking at your brother’s fault, look at his need.

4 How 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?
If you don’t see your brother’s need you cannot meet your brother’s need.

5 You 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.
Forgive your brother his fault, assess the need and address the need.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Unbelievers will reject God’s wisdom (and you) until they are ready to receive it.

(Jesus words from Matthew 5:1-6, NIV84)
(My imperfect understanding of the passage.)

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