JUDGING VS. JUDGMENTAL

Jesus didn’t say not to “judge”.  For example He said, “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57), and “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly” (John 7:24 NLT).  Yes, we should judge between right and wrong, and stand for what’s right and stand against what’s wrong, because there is a right and a wrong.  There is good and there is evil.  There is the Lord God’s way that leads to life and there is every other way that leads to death.

Jesus didn’t say don't judge; He said don’t be “judgmental.”  We must keep ourselves in check that we don’t take the place of God in judging others.  We’re all ultimately accountable to Him.  He will have the last word.  We all will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5 NLT). 

What’s the difference between a “nonjudgmental person” and a “judgmental person”?  Nonjudgmental people are aware of their own flaws and potential for failure.  They are therefore cautious about criticizing others.  Judgmental people classify wrongdoing into acceptable and unacceptable categories.  For example they decide it’s unacceptable to steal from others, but acceptable to tolerate sexual lust as long as it’s not acted out.  “Acceptable” and “unacceptable” are decided according to what the judge tolerates in his or her own personal life.  Jesus said, “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.  And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” (Matthew 7:1-3 NLT).

THE LONG TERM

     You were making splendid progress; who put you off the course you had set for the truth? Galatians 5:7 (Ph)

      Most boards and CEO’s want to hire people who have shown measurable results.  But when they overvalue the short term results that are more easily measured, they reward those who produce immediate advances over long term significance. 

     Something similar can happen in the church.  We can place too much emphasis on the short term immediate visible results, and when they don’t materialize as soon as we want, we’re tempted to move on to something else or somewhere else, or just give up.  And our spiritual growth is stunted. 

      Though it may be challenging to value the long term results over the short term results, it’s that “stick to it” kind of attitude that is rewarded more.  With a long term view of results, godly values are absorbed deeply and take root in our lives.  We are transformed over the long term.  The kind of results looked for – Christ-like character, love, joy, peace, authentic vulnerable community, a strong motivation for connecting people to God and growing spiritually and serving people – materialize over time.  Transformed lives, Christ-like character, and spiritual/emotional maturity can only be produced over the long term.   The final results will be measured in eternity one day.  So stay the course.  Stick to it.  Look for long term results in the future for yourself and for others, because those are lasting results – lives truly transformed and matured.  So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective, Colossians 3:1-2 (Mes).

FINDING YOUR WAY

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor. 5:14-15

The love of Christ is that which not only compels us, drives us, urges us on, but it also defines our life purpose.  His love “closes us in.”  The King James Version says it this way:  For the love of Christ constrains us.  The meaning of His love which gets hold of us and pushes us forward also means His love “constrains” us.  It’s the idea of being confined between two walls to one purpose.

God’s love for you sharpens the focus of your life.  It gives direction to your life.  It’s in His love for you that your purpose is defined.  It’s by His love for you, His love for human beings, and your love for Him that you’re able to narrow down your life purpose.  The love of Christ puts you in a hallway, so to speak, and the direction of your life becomes clear and focused.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!  Just look at it—we’re called children of God!  That’s who we really are. 1 John 1:3 (Mes)

Just look at God’s love for you.  Take the time regularly to pause and… just look at God’s love.   Gaze on it.  Stare at it.  Take it in.  Soak it up.  Delight in it.  Marvel at it.  Wonder at it.  Let His love for you dear child of His go all the way through you.  And… your life will transform.  And… your life purpose will form in a direction for you.

THE RACE

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.  Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:14-16

Paul says he “presses on” toward the goal to win the prize in Heaven to which God has called him.  He says we all should have this kind of attitude to press on.  Don’t fall back.  Move to the next level of commitment.  Keep learning because much is to be learned.  Keep growing because we need to keep maturing.  Lean forward, press ahead, and move yourself forward in understanding God’s truth and in spiritual/emotional maturity.  This is what God calls us to. 

The key is to “press on.”  The original Greek word for “press on” means to pursue.  It’s a metaphor from running a race.  The idea is to speed on earnestly, to pick up the pace.  It’s a race against time and our enemies.  It’s a race for accomplishing your God-given purpose, your calling.

Paul says, Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.  I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Mes). 

Do what’s necessary to run the race in a way that overcomes the enemy and his forces and in such a way that it achieves the goals for what God has called you to do.  Give it everything you’ve got!

STRETCH

Jesus said, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”   Matthew 9:29 (NAS)

“The first and most basic habit of a highly effective person in any environment is the habit of proactivity.” – Stephen Covey

Stretch with challenges.  Like a rubber band, you become useful when you’re stretched.  What will you do this week to stretch your faith?  What will you do this week to deepen your belief in God’s love for you?  What will you do this week to become more effective in your serving of others?  What steps will you take to trust God more this week?  What do you anticipate from God this week?  “It will be done to you according to your faith.”

FROM US TO YOU

May the joy of salvation's message through Christ fill your life this Christmas and may His goodness fill your life in the New Year.
David & Charlyn Thomasson

A LIGHT IN THE DARK

… On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. …For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7).

What happened last week at Sandy Hook Elementary is heart breaking.  We grieve with the families.  It was a terrible tragedy.  We ask the question, “Why did this happen?”  The answer that must be confronted, above the opinions on mental illness, gun control, or poor parental guidance, is the reality of “evil” in our world.  Jesus said, “The world ... hates me because I testify that what it does is evil” (John 7:7).  Jesus says the deeds of the self-centered Godless ways of the world are evil.  And we’re all affected in some way by the evil someone does.  Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).   

The good news is that this world doesn’t have the last word.  The Lord Jesus does.  There is hope.  There is a Light.  There is an answer to evil, and it’s found in Jesus Christ.  He is the answer to our turmoil and grief and pain.  He’s the Peace we need in our times of turbulence.  He’s the Comforter in our times of sorrow.  He is the Way to live.  He is the Truth of life.  He is Life itself.  He is our Salvation.  We grieve, we hurt, we sorrow, but we also have hope and truth and comfort in Christ. 

The Apostle Paul said it well:  “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Cor. 4:8), (We’re) sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; (2 Cor. 6:10).  How can this be?  The answer is that Christ gives us inner peace that the world can’t give or explain.  In light of this recent tragedy we should commit ourselves all the more to the mission of Christ – to lead more people to be believers in Him.   On those living in the land of the shadow of death a Light has dawned.