Judgment

               Again today in Romans as I started my readings the first thing I came across struck a chord with me.  Something as a society we do here in the US and other countries as well.  We divide ourselves into classes and tend not to interact with those we consider below us, because they do not talk the way we talk, dress the way we dress, drive a decent car like we do, make the same income as we do.  The problem is we do this in church as well.  You see it all the time when someone comes in that might be a regular attender, but may come from the streets or close to it and are dressed shabbily and may not have taken a shower recently.  You know the ones I am talking about and then you see those that are trying to move out of their way and try to avoid this person in a way that may not appear to obvious.  When someone like this comes into the church and they are treated like this do you think they feel wanted?  Are you showing them Christ’s love for them?  Did not the Jewish leaders treat these people in the same way?  And how did Jesus react to those Jewish leaders that felt they were too good to associate with people they considered to be beneath them?  Perhaps you have even done this yourself.  I will admit it I am guilty of this from time to time.  When we do this we are judging that person because of their outward appearance.  We never take the time to get to know the inward heart of that person.  So as we judge them remember these verses.

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.  2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.  3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?  4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

               These are strong words and should be heeded wisely.  Of course there are many other ways to judge someone and I share one way in which I struggle.  The thing is we identify these areas we are weak in and repent.  We ask for forgiveness and strength to change when we find ourselves in these situations.  We are here to represent Christ and carry on His work here.  It is not about ourselves it is about God and all of those around us.  What have you done for someone else today?