Here Comes the Judge   Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1 - 5

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”  

It is so much easier to find fault in others, even those who are closest to us, then it is to see the shortcomings in our own lives. It never ceases to amaze me how there are some of us in the body of Christ who not only constantly see or focus on the shortcomings of others, but are so free to criticize what they see as their character flaws in their sisters and brothers, not to mention how they speak about people in the world, who have yet to come to Christ.

I am always reminded in my heart that no matter how far I may have progressed in the grace, mercy and love of Christ Jesus that I am still a work in progress, as are the rest of us who have been forgiven by the blood of the Lamb. For me as a Pastor it allows me to look out over God’s sheep with a sense of grace, hope, love and thanksgiving for all that He has and continues to purpose and all that by His grace He is continuing to do through people just like us.

Yes, it may be true that at times I am tempted to judge my brother or sister because of what I may see as shortcomings in their lives. There may be other times that I also am tempted to speak about another in the body, but for the most part I choose not to judge, rather to pray, and not to speak ill, but rather to choose to speak words of healing and grace, because I realize that one day I will be looking into the eyes of Jesus and realizing, ‘Here Comes the Judge’.

On that final day my sister and brother when I stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and all of the motivations of my heart are brought into the light, I do want to be in the place of one that has shown mercy, grace, love and kindness to others – because His judgement will be complete, final, faithful and true.

May God by His Holy Spirit search our hearts and lives, help us to see our secret motivations and bring them to the cross, and make us willing to love others, even as we are being loved and cared for today in His rich and truly amazing grace!    

Prayer Heavenly Father forgive me I pray when I see the areas in the lives of others that need work, but am not able to see the log in my own life. Holy Spirit open up my eyes and heart to be more like Jesus. Kind, loving, caring, long-suffering and forgiving others. Forgive me when I have spoken about others either in the body of Christ or in the world in a way that has grieved Your Spirit. Use me to build up and encourage others, even as You continually are doing in my life, I pray in Jesus precious and holy name.  

Memory Verse: James 1:17a “Whatever is _____ and ________ comes down to us from God our _______, who created all the lights in the heavens.”