I had a couple of real tough questions come to mind last night. Do I harbor bitterness? Am I judgmental?
Dave and I discussed the first question and I could honestly say there isn’t a person who came to mind that I am bitter towards. We have been openly criticized and even defamed but if any of those people called or came to my door I would welcome them in with open arms, offer them comfort (a meal, a bed, a shoulder) and love on them.
However, I’m still working on the judgmental part. In fact, I found myself in several different situations in my dreams last night and had to deal with that very thing.
If I had been with Jesus when he was preaching and teaching would I have been accepting of the woman in adultery, would I have been willing to eat dinner with Zacchaeus, would I have even talked to the woman at the well long enough to find out that she needed a friend or a Savior? Would I have chosen Peter with his impetuous character to be one of my closest companions?
Jesus never condemned the sinner, only their sin. Would I or could I do the same?
I’m just being honest with you. Too many times I judge people by their outward appearance or their actions without seeing who Jesus sees. I heard a person sharing on television a few days ago and he made a comment similar to this. “When I looked into the face of Jesus on the cross, saw His suffering and realized it was my sin that put Him there my heart broke. He loved me in spite of all I have done; He loved me enough to forgive me and die in my place. How could I possibly judge others for who they are and what they do when I was guilty? His death paid the price for all our sins”.
This is what the Apostle Paul said: “And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope. 5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. 6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you. 8 I tell you that Christ came as a servant of the Jews to show that God has kept the promises he made to their famous ancestors. Christ also came, 9 so that the Gentiles would praise God for being kind to them…13 I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:4-13 CEV
We are always going to have different opinions over politics, money, education, appearance, lifestyle, doctrines but those differences should never stop us from loving those whom God created.
Now don’t think that I am condoning sin, I’m not. We need to have the same mind as Christ in this. He hated sin so much that He died to pay the price for our atonement. He loved us so much that He willingly went to the cross.
I’m still learning to love without being judgmental. Sin is sin, there’s no getting around that but God is the one who is the righteous judge. We are called to be disciples of Christ and that means we are called to love.
“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV