Scripture: Romans 2:1-11 (NLT)
1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
We are very quick to point out the obvious shortcomings of others. We put them in different slots that we feel comfortable with. Many times, we rush to judge others. Often this is without any evidence and based just on a feeling or a personal issue. When we do, we actually place OURSELVES in judgment.
I read this several times, and if we continue to STUBBORNLY sit in judgment of others, we place ourselves in a place to be judged.
I am sometimes heartbroken at what I hear people say about the faults of others. Well knowing my own shortcomings, I hesitate to quickly judge anyone. Judgment is God’s alone.
I will confess… judgmental people upset me more that I like. I remember how Jesus treated me before I accepted His Love and Lordship. God is wonderfully kind, tolerant, and PATIENT with US.
So, I refuse to judge others. I will leave that to God. I choose to treat people with courtesy, respect, kindness, compassion, and love. I will remember this when people push me to my limits. Christ died so those limits could be removed, and I can love those who do not love me. I will always remember God is Wonderfully Kind, Tolerant, and PATIENT with US; therefore, I will strive to be the same with others.
My Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your love, your kindness and patience with me. I thank you that it was your love and kindness that brought me out of darkness. I pray you will let the love you have for others reside in me so that they may be drawn out of the darkness into the light of your Salvation. Help me to not be an interference in the lives of those you are dealing with, but rather a part of your great plan for their lives. Help me to be guided by the Holy Spirit in everything I do.
Amen