JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED!

SCRIPTURE

Romans 2:1-11 (NRSV)
Divine judgment applies to all

Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. You say, "We know that God's judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth." Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. For he will repay according to each one's deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

DEVOTION

Today’s scripture reading reminds us of the importance of resisting the temptation to judge others!

As Christians, we sometimes fall into the trap of trying to police the behavior of others. We stand in judgment against others, not in love, but in self-righteous piety.

To this, Paul says, “Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God?”

My Lord, have mercy on us!

I am reminded that Matthew 7 entreats us, “Judge not, lest you be judged!”

So, what are we to do besides judge our non-Christian friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and enemies? Well, scripture is clear.

We are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves! We are also commissioned to go out into the entire world bringing the good news message that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

Our job and calling is to simply love people to the cross. For it is at the cross of Jesus that our non-Christian friends will meet the Love of God which saves our souls and transforms our behaviors from the inside out!

Is there anyone in your life that you need to love well today? If so, please pray with me:

God, I want to love people well. Please help me to resist the temptation to be judge, jury, and executioner. God, I trust you to be the righteous judge. Today, I just want to love somebody to the cross. Please help me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.