Not the Judge

Published: Dec. 8, 2023, 5 a.m.

b'READ: MATTHEW 7:1-5; JAMES 4:11-12\\n\\n\\n\\nIt\\u2019s such an easy temptation. How quick we as humans are to make judgments by pointing a finger at someone else instead of looking at the problems in our own lives.\\n\\n\\n\\nIt can be so easy to criticize the way other people live. When was the last time you found yourself judging others for the things they do that are different from what you think is right? It\\u2019s easier to point out other people\\u2019s shortcomings instead of our own, isn\\u2019t it? But that\\u2019s not how Jesus calls us to live. He died on the cross and rose from the grave for all sin\\u2014including yours\\u2014and He\\u2019s the only One who can judge. He calls us to focus on living our own lives and leave the judgment to Him.\\n\\n\\n\\nBut what if we see somebody do something wrong? you might ask. We have to make judgments sometimes, don\\u2019t we?\\n\\n\\n\\nYes, there are times when we need to confront others about wrongdoing or tell someone in authority so they can help\\u2014especially if a person\\u2019s actions will hurt themselves or someone else. But that doesn\\u2019t give us a right to put ourselves above someone else, to think of ourselves as better than other people because the sins they struggle with might be different from the sins we struggle with. The fact is, we all desperately need Jesus\\u2014He\\u2019s the only perfect person who\\u2019s ever lived. He\\u2019s the only One who never sinned, and His death and resurrection is the only way we can be forgiven and restored to relationship with God. Let\\u2019s not lose sight of this good news by pointing fingers at each other. Instead, let\\u2019s remember that God desires to bring us close to Himself, to heal our lives from sin, and to make us new. We need to leave the judging up to Him\\u2026because He is the only just Judge. \\u2022 A. W. Smith\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 Are there sins you find easier to judge? Why do you think that is? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 How can knowing that Jesus is a just Judge give us comfort when we see things go so wrong in our broken world?\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 How can knowing that Jesus will right every wrong when He returns help us love our neighbors like Jesus loves us? (1 John 4:19)\\n\\n\\n\\nThere is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you\\u2014 who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 (NIV)'