Thou Shalt Not Judge … Never, Ever, Ever!

READ: Matthew 7:1-5

1Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Very popular, very acceptable. I’ll do what I want. You’ll do what you want. Neither of us will dare correct the other or insinuate that one (or both) of us is a sinner. 

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

So if I ignore everyone else’s sin, then they’ll have to ignore my sin. Or else … the judgment of God! 

3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Huh? My brother is perfect the way he is. I do not judge him. And what is this plank of which you speak, Jesus?

4How 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? 

What speck? What plank? We’re perfect the way we are. Where are you going with this, Jesus?!

5You 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.

And there’s the issue! We were never called to ignore sin in our own lives or each other’s lives. Quite to the contrary, the Scriptures read: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” (Eph 4:1) and, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (Gal 6:1)

We are called to soberly evaluate our sin, repent, and gently restore our brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you doing this?

Better Together

Elephant herds are unique communities. Did you know, elephant mothers do not raise their babies on their own? Baby elephants are born blind and completely dependent. While the baby is growing, they are fortunate enough to have a great support system consisting of multiple full-time babysitters, called “allmothers.” Elephants intentionally stay together in order to care for the weak calves.

People are not much different.  Babies are born totally helpless. Parents don’t abandon the infant, expecting it to care for itself.  Often times other family members and friends rally around the couple to help support the family.

As Christians, we are family.  Some are infants, with weak faith, in need of support. Our scripture passage today is from Romans 15:1-7.  Verse one starts by saying, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak…”  By “weak”, it means someone with a weak faith. 

Let's be honest, it's not easy to walk along side a Christian with weak faith. It can get messy.  Christians with weak faith make bad choices. This is when they need us the most.

We need to be careful not to judge them.  Just as a family wouldn't leave one of their own weak and alone. We ought to rally together, intentionally bearing with and accepting them just as Christ accepted us. 

Search My Heart

Philippians 2: 1-11 is one of my favorite passages in scripture. My bible is filled with notes on this page. I love how it lists benefits we receive being a follower of Christ; encouragement, fellowship, tenderness and compassion.  I experience these wonderful benefits most, when I am around other believers.

The passage immediately gives us a challenge. God doesn’t want us to only stay around situations where we only experience these benefits. We are called to take those benefits and serve others.  As a Christian this shouldn't be a surprise.  We hear and read that our job is to serve.  But, this is where a lot of us struggle.

I think there are three kinds of Christians when it comes to serving others.  

1. The one who “gets” it.  Serving seems to flow from them.  It is who they are. They give of themselves freely.
2. The one who serves but it just doesn’t seem or feel natural.  They serve because they know it is what God wants.
3. The one who leaves serving to others.  They will give their money and donate items to their church or community outreach projects, but they think they are not gifted to serve.

No matter where you may fall, I believe we can all check our heart with regards to serving. If you relate to the third example, let me encourage you. I have not read anywhere in the bible where serving others is only for those naturally gifted to do so.

God has called you to serve!  Philippians 2: 5-7 tells us, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus...he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…”

I think the rub comes with, WHO and HOW do we serve…

WHO do we serve?  Paul says in Philippians, “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit...consider others better than yourself.”  

If we have a hard time serving, we have possibly put ourselves in a higher position than the one we are called to serve. Is there a particular group of people or even a singular person, you think you're better than? I know this is a hard question, but spend some time honestly searching your heart.  Take time to pray about it, asking God to reveal the truth.

When you see who it is you put “below” yourself, THIS is WHO you should serve.

So, HOW should we serve? Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

In humility.  This is hard.  The easiest way to serve in humility is when we've been humbled. It can feel very humbling when we realize we put ourselves before so many others.  This is a good place to start. It will take HUMILITY and faith, and when you are not sure you can do it, remember; Jesus did it for you.

Romans 12:9-21

             LOVE

It seems that “love” has different meanings depending on the person and circumstances. Certainly we love our spouses differently than our children and we love our parents in a way unlike how we love the elderly man across the street. These people however are not generally difficult to love. They typically contribute positively to our lives and are no threat to us.

Paul, in his wisdom, wrote this book of Romans to Christians in Rome. He especially attempted to outline what the relationship should be between the Jew and the non-Jew. Appealing to the heart Paul urged them to live life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Should we not do the same?

This passage is powerful as it challenges us to do the will of God in spite of our human-ness.

All taken from Romans 12:

“Love must be sincere.”

“Honor one another above yourselves.”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Love means looking beyond ourselves and at times wrestling within ourselves to do the will of God. This beloved book we call the Bible speaks to us again and again about how to follow God’s will. It also tells us it will not be easy, but the Lord will be with us to see it through.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Read/Listen to Romans 12:9-21

Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

Our school district nurse uses the following as her e-mail signature line. “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”       Maya Angelou

The way we worship is contained in the way we live our lives. How we respond to various situations, and the approach we take with those we encounter speaks to the world of whom we serve.

 “We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8

Using our undeserved, God given gifts is worship in itself. Serving the children of the Lord through our strengths is honoring HIM.

First Peter 4:10 also reminds us;  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

We all have our own personality and style, but as we grow as Christians we become more aware of the importance of living our lives in the way Christ did, as we are a reflection of Him.

As we share our talents and gifts with this world, may we be gentle in the way we display the love of our God, thoughtful in the way we reflect His grace, and sensitive in the way we reveal His mercy.

Read/Listen to Romans12:1-8 

Acts 28:1-15

Has life ever suddenly taken a huge turn?  Have you ever wondered what tomorrow would bring, given the day you just experienced? Imagine Paul, just off a ship that piled up on the rocks, safely on the shore when..."Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. (Acts 28:3)

Some days I feel like I am exactly where God wants me to be.  Some days I have no doubt God is orchestrating my life.  Some days seem almost too perfect -- certainly God has had His hand in this feeling of well-being.  God had promised safe passage to Paul and nothing could stop him from reaching Rome.  The trip didn't have to be easy, but Paul would find himself in Rome.

We have been promised things as well; hope, joy, peace, love, salvation - we only have to reach out for them.  As Christians we have not been promised smooth sailing on the seas we travel, only that we will arrive.  The stage was being set for Paul to begin ministering in the most influential city in the world, Rome.  Just think of all the things Paul endured on this journey.  God was persistent.

The Life Application Commentary points out, "all the forces of hell seemed to have been intensifying their efforts to keep Paul from reaching Rome."  Are you feeling as if the forces of hell are moving against you?  Take heart, we are in good company.

Read the Acts 28:1-15 text here.

Paul Gives Thanks - Ephesians 1:15-23

Do you know who you are?

Paul prays continually for the Ephesians. He gives thanks for their faith in Christ and their love for all God’s people. He continually asks God to give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. He prays that the eyes of their heart be enlightened; that the Truth be revealed to them.

Paul wants the Ephesians, and you and me, to know God better. If we are to live our lives by faith we must know and understand who we are…the Truth of the hope we have, the knowledge of our inheritance, and the power we have in Christ.

We are Christians. Nothing we do will make God love us more than He already does. We need to be more than Christians by name…attending church because it’s what we do on Sunday, praying a prayer when we need to, and reading scripture when we have time.

Getting a clearer picture of who we are and the blessings we inherit as Christians requires us to devote time to prayer, study and reading of God’s Word. Truth is revealed to us when we consciously commit to a relationship with Him…that we would “set [our] minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col. 3:2)

Let us show we are thankful that “… He fills everything with His presence” (v 23 TM) by living our lives with Christ truly IN us as a real part of our hearts.

Read today's scripture on Biblegateway.