“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
We like to think we don’t judge people, but the truth is, we do. Everyone does. It may not be intentional, but it happens all the time. Maybe it’s someone we see in the grocery store whose clothes or hair are a bit unconventional. Maybe it’s someone who cuts us off when we’re driving on the freeway. Maybe it’s in the past of someone that we refuse to let go. Whatever the reason, we tend to make judgments.
Sometimes we say things that come out totally wrong, and we offend someone even though we never intended to do so, and so we are judged by our words. Sometimes we are judged by the actions of a family member. Sometimes we are judged by past sins, and sometimes we are judged simply for who we are. Sometimes we judge, and sometimes we are the judged. No one is immune. We may not admit it to ourselves, but it happens.
I may be judged by people, but I am so glad that I am no longer judged by God. When I accepted Christ as my Saviour, He forgave all my sins, past, present, and future! I am no longer judged for my mistakes, my misguided thoughts, my wrong actions. Why? Because of Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” None. However, the removal of God’s judgment does not remove the responsibility I have to live my life in a godly manner.
Therefore, I must work hard to avoid judging people. It is wrong of me to do so. From God’s perspective, I am no different than them. No better, no worse. I must learn to look at people through the eyes of Christ. The loving, forgiving, accepting eyes of Christ. When I consider those who have hurt me, or those who don’t exactly do what I would do in given situations, or those who are different from me, I must remember that Jesus loves them as much as He loves me. He died for them, just like He died for me. I have no right to judge others for any reason. I do have the responsibility to love them like Christ loves them. With His help, I am learning to do just that, and I know I can do it because Philippians 4: 13 reminds me that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
(from “Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliott)
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5
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“Do not judge someone’s story by the chapter you walked in on.” – Anonymous