2 Corinthians 3: 4-6 (ESV) “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
I read a communication from a local church to our community that stated, “If you drink and smoke then your Jesus is not our Jesus.” I was actually stunned by this. It kind of reeks of condemnation, don’t you think? Jesus was quite specific about this kind of judgment in His Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 7: 1-3 (ESV) “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
This is something that almost all of us are guilty of. Somehow we can clearly see our brother’s and sister’s faults all the while completely overlooking our own. What drives us to do this? Is it because we like to use the letter of the law instead of the Spirit when referring to others? Or is it because it is in our DNA to judge?
When we judge, when we condemn, when we throw stones, there is nothing Christian about any of these actions. It is the nature of the devil and the world to act that way. But the Spirit is the direct gift of the Father to those who would love Christ. And it is that love for Christ that should compel us to have compassion towards each other, not condemnation.
We are not God’s lawyers! Actually we are not smart enough or righteous enough to qualify for the job. What God does require of us is to love, to be gentle, and to be kind to one another. We are to be at peace with each other and to be understanding. To console instead of criticize. The way of Christ was to come that we might have forgiveness and a new and vibrant life through the Spirit. That is how we should treat each other.
Any judgment halts the growth of the Church. It separates us instead of binding us together. When you look at each other, look with the loving eyes of Christ and you will walk in freedom and in harmony.
Amen?
This series of blog posts titled, “Pondering Hope”, are written by Craig Stevens. If you are interested in reading more from him you can find his blog at ponderinghope.com.