Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged?
Do not condemn,
and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
What makes us judges of another person or their choices?
Why did God command us not to judge?
I have been thinking about this as I mediate on the command to Love. The greatest commandment is the command to love. Ever feel loved when being judge. I know that my boys do not feel very loved when they are judge. Most of our judging is based in comparison. We compare one thing to another instead of rejoicing in the individuality of those around us.
Different does not mean inferior or wrong.
God gave us all different choices and abilities and we should choose to embrace them.
We cannot have a 1 Corinthians 13 love and be judges.
In Corinthians we are told that LOVE:
--BEARS all things, meaning that love takes carries us when we need it too and takes responsibility for our short comings.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins.
--BELIEVES all things, meaning that it feels sure that someone is capable of a particular action. We believe the best of the people we love, even when they fall short in the eyes of others. We cannot believe in someone if we are comparing him or her to others.
1 John 3:18
Dear children,
let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
--HOPES all things, meaning that we expect the best and are willing to pray for the individual, and teach or wait for the Lord’s intercession. This is a hope of God working in the individual's life.
Romans 5:5
this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
--ENDURES all things, meaning to suffer patiently. Suffer patiently tells me that when I have a self-sacrificing love, that I am patient even when others are watching.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.
Pride is the contradiction of love. Pride sets its self above others. We want to be the best mother, wife, teacher, friend and the list goes on. Being the best does not let us live out Philippians 4.
- Whatever is true,
- Whatever is noble,
- Whatever is right,
- Whatever is pure,
- Whatever is lovely,
- Whatever is admirable,
- Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy, about the people God has place in your life,
—think about such things.
And to make sure you are thinking about those things here is a way to make your list.
Free Printable: Philippians List
My verse for today is from Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
