Judge Not, My Friend...Judge Not

IT'S THE "Say what now?!"/I'm judging you FACE
(Source: http://silviakusada.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/judging1.jpg)

There have been plenty of times where I had to stop and step back to look at myself, especially when it came to judging others. 

I constantly have to remind myself that I am not here to judge, but to love. 

Sadly, it's such a human reaction to put labels on others or treat people differently based on their past transgressions or their present downfalls.

It's hard not to!

But if we love God, and we choose a life of righteousness, we must humble ourselves to the cross and get off  our high horses.

It's like for a split second, we forget that we are not even close to perfection.

In every Christian's mind, there is an image. No one's image is the same though they might be similar.

It is sort of a template of what one thinks a Christian should be like. I call it a "standard". And yes, the "standard" is a good way of not conforming to the secular world; we must allowing God to transform your mind (Romans 12:2), but when it interferes with friendships and family members, there's a serious problem.

The "standard", in a way, is a figurative way of taking up our cross. While Jesus carried the cross and sacrificed his life so we could have true life, we take up our cross every day in a broken world. We fight off temptation and anticipate any inch of God we see on Earth.

It is not an easy life. It is a long, yet promising journey.

Sometimes we lose ourselves in the world and slip up. We're human! But according to Galatians 6:1, Paul says that if someone sins, it is your responsibility to support them and help encourage them to rise above it. 

Paul doesn't say if your sister or brother falls into sin, scold them, judge them and  talk about them behind their backs. 

We are to "...restore that person gently" (Galatians 6:1 - NIV).

It doesn't matter if you are really close to that person. He or she could be your best friend in the whole universe, past the Milky Way and the Black Hole. Harsh criticism hurts the most when it comes from the ones you love.

You might think you are helping them get back on track, but you're NOT.

You are actually straining the relationship. God is pleased with us when we keep strife OUT of our relationships. Not to mention if your loved one is not a Christian, you are pushing them further and further away. They won't be able to here what God has for them because you are not loving like God - unconditional.

It is God's job to discipline his children, not YOU.

Besides, if you don't pray for the people in need of repentance and show mercy, how do you expect the Lord to show you mercy (James 2:13)?

Allow God's mercy to pour onto you and allow your mercy towards others to pour onto them.

Remember no one has to redeem themselves for anyone, not even God. Jesus took care of that already.

So judge not, my friend...judge not.

Now, that's where the heart is <3