Our world seems to circle around judgment these days. We are quick to judge others actions, or lack of action. In addition, with the onset of Social Media, we have the ability to know what practically everyone in the world is up to and therefore have opportunity to judge their actions as well.

I wonder how many of us know and understand that we are free NOT to judge others. In fact, God commands us, directly, to withhold judgment from others and leave ALL the judgment to Him. I am all for that option and will walk in the freedom of non-judgment of others, including myself. Please allow me to expound.

This blog is one in a journey of a Getting to Know God series. The names and attributes of God are adapted from a guide on the Navigators website called 30 Days of Praying the Names and Attributes of God. Today’s blog corresponds with the eleventh entry in their guide, God is just.

Today the guide says this:

“God is Just. God is righteous and holy, fair and equitable in all things. We can trust Him to always do what is right.”

Our verses for today are:
Psalm 75:1-7(ESV)

We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.

“At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’”

For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.

God is a just God. It is He alone that is worthy to judge and punish, convict and condemn. This is often a hard concept for us to grasp in many ways. Each of us has judgmental tendencies and it can be difficult to set them aside. Indeed, we can be tricked into thinking we are elevated to judge because we follow the ways of Jesus and know THE way to heaven. Yet, it is only He who is without sin who has the power to judge. There is only ONE who is without sin and that is God.

When we judge others it does not come from a pure heart nor does it come from a place of all knowing. We may judge the person begging on the side of the street, not having any clue of what has happened to them to bring them to that place. Or we may judge the “rude” checker at the grocery store, not knowing that they just lost a loved one or found out they had cancer or any number of storms they could be walking through at that moment.

That is precisely why we are specifically called not to judge. Rather, we are called to love. God is love and if we follow Him we will be able to love that person begging on the street or be of good cheer to that “rude” checker. That is what God calls us to do and when we do, we point those folks to Him. If we judge them and “treat them how they deserve” we can stain the name of Jesus and turn them away from seeking God for comfort in their time. I can’t think of anyone who has come to Christ through the harsh judgement of a Christian.

This is not to say we should approve of sinful behavior or support a loved one walking in darkness. We are called to offer the truth in love and sometimes that requires us to let others know we can’t support their sinful behavior. However, we can show them that regardless of that behavior, we love them and know that God loves them too. The key to showing that love without supporting darkness is offering the truth IN LOVE. If you have a situation where you feel this is needed, I highly encourage you to bring it to God and lay it at His feet. Then, patiently wait for His direction. The enemy can convince us that we are “loving” people when we harshly judge them so we must have God’s go and God’s guidance if we are to speak out against the darkness.

Let us stand firm with the knowledge that God is Just being the foundation of all that our eyes see. God knows ALL and He will indeed judge, condemn and punish those walking in darkness. We should not doubt that, even when we don’t see that taking place within our desired timeline. Once again, we need to remember that God’s ways are higher and wiser than our ways. He is the ultimate judge and nothing will slip past His watchful eyes.

So the key to remember today is “Judge not, lest ye be judged” (and who wants that!) 🙂

Blessings and love to you,
Pamela