This topic has hit me pretty hard this summer and end of the school year.
Growing up in a Christian home is a wonderful thing. From an early age we are taught right from wrong, and encouraged to grow in a relationship with God through Christ. But sometimes kids like me, who have a discerning spirt and know right from wrong, fall into the sin of judging people for their sins. For example...
I know I have fallen into a habit of judging many people who fall under these categories and many more. I tend to assume everyone knows these things are wrong, and should just make better choices. But they are people who sin just like me, and I am no better than they. They just struggle with different sin. I am learning that God loves ALL sinners. It doesn't matter WHAT the sin is, He loves them.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
"For God so loved the world" : God loves ALL people, despite their sin, background, upbringing, gender, and so on... He loves His followers, and those of the world just the same.
John 3: 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Christ is the PERFECT example of how we should act toward people. He did not come to condemn sinners... He came to save them, and love them. He didn't spend all His time with the rich, intelligent, and clean people. He reached out to the diseased, hurting, and lowest of the lowest. He served everyone in His path.
So when do we stop judging our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who don't have a personal relationship with God? When do we start to follow Christ's example, show His love, and be His disciples?
John 17: 16-18 "They are not are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."
Here Jesus is praying for His disciples. If you are a follower of Christ, then you are His disciple, and He is praying for you. He sent us INTO the world: to change it from the inside out, to love those who are in it, to be set apart (not "of" the world), to spread His truth. He didn't send us to judge it.
The answer is now.
Judgement is a HARD habit to kick. Here's what I've been learning! Growing up in a Christian home is a wonderful thing. From an early age we are taught right from wrong, and encouraged to grow in a relationship with God through Christ. But sometimes kids like me, who have a discerning spirt and know right from wrong, fall into the sin of judging people for their sins. For example...
- We were taught dressing modesty would protect ourselves and others. We were told that modesty is very important. True. But it is not the most important thing. Girls who dress and act "immodestly" are still people.
- We were taught being gay is not of God's design. True. But those who are gay are still people.
- We were taught swearing is bad, and to stay away from those who did to protect our innocence. True. But people who swear are still people.
- We were taught keeping our purity was precious. We were taught that purity is very important. True. But it is not the most important thing. People who lose their "purity" are still people, and are no less valuable.
I know I have fallen into a habit of judging many people who fall under these categories and many more. I tend to assume everyone knows these things are wrong, and should just make better choices. But they are people who sin just like me, and I am no better than they. They just struggle with different sin. I am learning that God loves ALL sinners. It doesn't matter WHAT the sin is, He loves them.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
"For God so loved the world" : God loves ALL people, despite their sin, background, upbringing, gender, and so on... He loves His followers, and those of the world just the same.
John 3: 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Christ is the PERFECT example of how we should act toward people. He did not come to condemn sinners... He came to save them, and love them. He didn't spend all His time with the rich, intelligent, and clean people. He reached out to the diseased, hurting, and lowest of the lowest. He served everyone in His path.
So when do we stop judging our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who don't have a personal relationship with God? When do we start to follow Christ's example, show His love, and be His disciples?
John 17: 16-18 "They are not are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."
Here Jesus is praying for His disciples. If you are a follower of Christ, then you are His disciple, and He is praying for you. He sent us INTO the world: to change it from the inside out, to love those who are in it, to be set apart (not "of" the world), to spread His truth. He didn't send us to judge it.
The answer is now.
Psalm 119: 105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."