March 21, 2022 Monday
When was the last time you judged someone? Be honest because Jesus knows our hearts. We can’t hide anything from Him.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul holds a mirror up for us to look at ourselves. He wants us to realize that when we judge others, for anything, we are no better than “religious people” and we are sinning against God, because He is the ONLY Judge. In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
Do you believe that when you sin Jesus is sitting there thinking poorly about you or talking bad about you; or do you believe that He wants the highest and best for you? Of course, He wants what is best for us, and for us to turn away from sin and back to Him. So, if that is the case, why would we ever think that we have the right to judge someone else for anything at all? The next time you or I want to judge someone else, we need to pause, and immediately pray. We need to ask Jesus for the presence of His Holy Spirit to overflow withing our hearts. We need to seek His kindness, tolerance, and patience to be within our hearts for others, just as He is kind, tolerant, and patient with us.
Romans 2:1-4 NLT
God’s Judgment of Sin
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?
Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for Your forgiveness of my sins. Please help me, Lord, to not judge others. I want to view others with Your heart, a heart that is kind, tolerant, and patient. Help me, Lord, to be more and more like You each day. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant