06/22/2023
We fail in some manner almost every day. Yet, it is so hard for us not to judge the actions of those around us, and by doing so, if it were not for the Atonement of Christ, we ourselves would be lost. Seeing, and turning our noses up at sinners is just too natural for us.
“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:2 ESV
Driving through downtown Nashville I see a drunk staggering down the street, and without a moment's hesitation I judge and convict him of that sin. If I were walking, rather than driving, I would move to the sidewalk on the other side of the street to avoid him, and think to myself, "What a wasted life; that man is a sinner and destined for hell!" I wouldn't see the man separate from the sin, but judge him right along with the sin I feel he is committing. Have you done this?
I see a man in church who I heard tell a lie earlier in the week and avoid him like the plague; or I see someone dressed inappropriately and think that they are disrespecting the house of the Lord... have you done that? The ways in which we judge others are as varied as the sins we are capable of committing, and we judge others based on them. Sometimes we even share our judgement with those around us... "I don't like that person, they drink too much and are ungodly!"
As I read my Oswald Chambers devotional message this morning his words convict me in a way that I have not thought of these actions before...
"Who of us would dare to stand before God and say - "My God, judge me as I have judged my fellow men?" We have judged our fellow men as sinners; if God should judge us like that we would be in hell. God judges us through the marvelous Atonement of Jesus Christ." - Oswald Chambers
Jesus dined with sinners, He separated their sin from the people He saw them to be. When was the last time we made a point of speaking with someone whose life was filled with sin? Were we able to speak lovingly to them even though they needed Jesus more than their next breath? We tend to view the sinner like a carrier of an incurable disease that we might contract, and separate ourselves from them at all cost, but what Jesus showed us was that sinners can be cured, and the sick are in need of a doctor... a spiritual healer.
“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."”
Mark 2:14-17 ESV
As a child I was told often to "choose your friends wisely" and that "monkey see, monkey do!" Perhaps a child is incapable of separating sin from the sinner; perhaps a child can be tempted too easily by the allure of sin, but as adults we are usually judging people to make ourselves feel holier than them, or out of a fear that we might be seen by others as complicit in their sin. Jesus was indeed looked down on for sitting and speaking with sinners, but He saw their sin as something these people did... not who they were... so that argument fails to justify us.
How can someone go and sin no more if we have sewn their sin to the very fabric of who they are? When do we realize that they have confessed their sins to God and are trying to live a righteous life? How many times have we judged and convicted someone of a sin that God has forgiven them of? Do we really know? We should be more like Jesus. We should forgive freely and judge not.
“And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?”
Matthew 9:2-5 ESV
You are probably thinking that only Jesus could forgive sin, but is that really true? If so, then how do we explain this particular scripture?
“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:15-16 ESV
Be righteous, judge not, deliver the gospel, and forgive much. Sit with sinners and give them the opportunity to redeem themselves. Don't judge them in a manner that will condemn you before God. Ask Jesus to forgive you for the judgements you have made of others. Pray that those sins you have judged most harshly, the ones that tempt you the most, so that they lose their appeal to you... forgive yourself so that you can more readily forgive others.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the atonement of Jesus. I thank you for His example in dealing with sin and sinners. Lord, I thank you for not only forgiving me, but allowing me a measure of forgiveness for others who need freedom from their sins. Help me Father to embrace the sinner, even as I separate them from their sins. Teach me each day that I am no better in my failures than the man I pass stumbling on the street. Give me a heaping measure of your grace and mercy so that another's life might find hope and redemption in you. Holy Father, judge me not as I have judged others, but forgive me my judgements, and lead me to encourage sinners to embrace righteousness that I might not be an encumbrance to you.
Rich Forbes