Judging Others

Don't judge other people more harshly than you want God to judge you. -- Marie T Freeman

I love to 'people watch'. I like to sit in an out-of-the-way spot, either in a park, the beach, or in a shopping mall. I enjoy simply watching people walk by.

I may wonder if they are married, and if so, are they happy? I like to imagine each person's profession, their hobbies, or, if their faces are wearing frowns, I may envision the circumstances in their lives which cause them.

But I find I mostly wonder about their spiritual condition. Some people wear Jesus on their physical bodies so that there is no doubt. Others are more secretive with this info, so that I really have no idea at all. But then there are others whose rage and dissatisfaction with life is very evident on their faces.

I have to draw the line when I am watching people, because I could very easily begin to judge them. And I know from experience that first impressions can indeed be misleading. For instance, I know full well that some days I tend to frown. I have often been asked what's wrong. In fact, I realize now that I frown when I am deep in thought, even if it is about a good thing. My frown is an automatic stance my face takes when I am focusing on something. But it does not mean I am upset or angry.

Some people smile all the time. And often it is not from joy, but from covering up issues in their lives. I have been guilty of this as well. And that look of rage I sometimes see? Could just be because the person is late for an appointment, or may just be having a rough day.

We must be careful not to allow observing people to become judging them. We never completely know the circumstances in another person's life. It is very easy to misread, or to be misread. God is the only One who knows full well what is going on, and what a person's spiritual life consists of.

Our job is to be sensitive to the people we come in contact with daily. Yes, even those closest to us. So if a kind word or deed is required, or even a quick hug, we are at the ready. We may need to pray with or for someone. We may simply need to listen. But we must never judge.

Matthew 7:1 tells us, 'Judge not, that ye be not judged.' We must not judge others, because God holds us accountable for this. It is not our place, and can cause great harm. We are to show love to others, not judgement. This is the work of our holy God, not His children.

Blessings!

Rosebuds of Faith Devotional Series: LOVE * Accepting Others (#2)

'Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.' Romans 15:7

Do you know someone who just seems to irritate you to no end? Is one of your relatives so difficult to be around that you avoid family gatherings? And what about that person on the street who is walking too close to you, the one who is dirty and unkempt? Are you guarding your wallet or purse just a little more than usual? Are you sure this person is out to get you?

All of us are guilty of one or more of these things. We judge before we know. We decide a person's worth based on what we observe. In the case of people we know, we judge their actions and their worth by what we 'think' we understand about them. We dismiss them as 'undesirables', even if we do love them. And by avoiding them,we stay out of the line of fire, so to speak, where we have to show love and care towards them. Because we really don't want to.

I have an elderly aunt who I do love dearly. However, she can be a very difficult person. She always has been. She will give you anything she has...but the whole county will know about it! She snoops through our mail, listens to our voice messages, and is probably the most nosy person I know. Yet I love her! She will tell me right out that I need to lose weight, or that my clothes are not in style, or that I spend too much money on frivolous stuff. And she will do this in front of other family members. Yet, STILL, I love her. And I wouldn't hurt her for the world! So, I have had to ask God to help me to accept her. Loving her is not enough.

Jesus accepts all of us. Warts, moles, broken hearts, wayward thoughts, and all. He takes us on part and parcel, withholding nothing from us.He washes us clean of our sins and iniquities with the pureness of His precious blood. He cares not that we are too fat or too thin, or that our clothes are not from Saks.He does not care if we speak perfect English, or if we are missing teeth, or if we don't have a penny to our name. He simply accepts us. So much so, that He died on a cross for us many years ago, thinking of us as He did.

There is no greater love than that which Christ has shown and continues to show to us. And as He teaches us, we are to become like Him. If we love Him, if we believe in Him, and we know who He truly is, then we should be like Him. We should accept those who are different from us, who don't look like us, talk like us,or live like us. We must show them love, no matter how they make us feel, or what we think others may think of us for doing it.

Acceptance. It is a simple but powerful word. Love. That is even more so. And, because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, acceptance and love go hand in hand.

Do it. And then watch your cares, your worries, your trepidations leave you. And see how your actions affect 'these' people. For God works wonders when love is on display. Is this not a higher gift of praise for our Heavenly Father?

Blessings!