January 31, 2020

January 31
Running with Jesus 

Luke 6:37-38 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

     I love this passage in The Message because I never thought of judging as jumping on people. We all have failures and faults so running with Jesus should help us learn to treat others the way we want to be treated. 
     Now sometimes people think we are judgmental when we present them with the truth. However, Gods Word reveals truth and the way of life that will lead to life and not death. When we live according to His commands we find life and not bondage. When confronting people present the Word of Truth, be careful that you don't put on the robe and judge someone by lifting yourself as superior and make them to be inferior. We then alienate them and close our door to witness. The answer to this problem was not to forsake the convictions the Lord had given us, but to uphold the second commandment, which is to love others as we love ourselves. 
God is a God of mercy when we get judgmental toward others I think of the mercy and grace God gave me. If not for the grace of God on my life where would I be, also He tells us if we judge them we will be judged in the same way. I have seen this happen so many times, people will comment over a wayward child and down the road their child or family member will do the same thing. 
Look at the next verses in the message:
41-42 “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Judging is when we lift ourselves superior.  We can discern what is right or wrong never think you are better and you will never fail! 

Lord, let me love others and have a heart of mercy not to become their judge but become a witness. Help us examine our own hearts first. Help us not lose out on blessings by not living generously with your love and mercy toward others. 

Wormy apples, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015