Love Thy Neighbour – hoodSample

DON'T JUDGE

At a young adults retreat the guest pastor was speaking from the passage in Matthew 7:3, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" He illustrated this so well by sticking his arm out in front of his face, representing the plank, and explained that there is no way he could even see the sins of anyone else, as he clearly had plenty of his own to deal with. 

In that moment, I realized what a huge burden and barrier our judgement can become. So often we become fixated on the "sin" of the people around us. We find errors in the church, our leaders, pastors, friends and family, that we forget to focus on ourselves and the areas of our own lives that God wants to refine.  

The Bible speaks of a woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees and the teachers of law brought her to Jesus and explained that as a result of her sins, she must be stoned. Jesus turned to them and replied, "Let any one of you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). No one threw a stone. Jesus told the woman that He did not condemn her, but urged her to go and sin no more. This passage is a beautiful illustration of God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness, which we all need every day, every hour, every minute. The reality is, we have all fallen short of God’s glory. Every single one of us falls short. We all need a Savior.  We all need Jesus! And he is the only rightful judge. 

The Bible tells us that "there is only one lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. Who are we to judge our neighbour?" (James 4:12). Rather than judging, criticizing and tearing people down, let’s be a neighbourhood--a community of people who speak life and encouragement to one another. Let’s choose to uplift one another, forgive one another and show grace towards each other. 

Prayer: God, thank You for Your forgiveness, Your mercy and Your grace. Thank You that through the repentance of my sins You make me a new creation. Lord, help me not to judge others. Help me to see the areas in my own life that need refining. Help me to uplift others, forgive and show grace, in Jesus name, Amen.