We have to judge people better. That sounds strange because most of us have heard that Jesus said we shouldn't judge. We take that to mean we shouldn't judge anyone at all. But that's a hard sell. Plus, that's not what Jesus meant. At another time, he would say to judge people correctly.
Then there's the apostle Paul. He made the case to the Corinthians that we shouldn't judge people outside the church. That is, how can you judge someone who does not share your faith by your standards of faith? It's not our job to Christian police the world. If the Corinthians thought Paul meant they shouldn't associate with any sinners at all, they'd have to leave the world entirely.
Instead, what Paul was teaching them was that they should look within the church. Our calling is to live as people who take God's grace seriously. Especially as a congregation, we are to be honest about our struggles and look to hold one another accountable. By doing so, we let God create a community that reflects God's love and holiness.
The idea is not that we become finger pointers. Rather, we seek to respond to God's grace so much that we're willing to look inward at who we are, what we are. To repent and grow together in love. That doesn't happen by accident. And it doesn't happen by a desire to condemn. As we learn to judge correctly, we look for the transformation God truly desires for us all.
Stay blessed...john | 
No comments:
Post a Comment