Oh man! Do we live in a judgmental society. I had to use “oh man,” in the context for which I did, because Paul used it in Romans 2:1 a couple of times, and totally made me snicker as I read it; knowing that Paul didn’t know the context for which we would speak that today, but God certainly did. Did it ever occur to you that nothing ever occurred to God? Hey, don’t judge me for my warped humor; which just so happens to be todays thought on my heart. The judgement, not the humor.
I listened as someone this week spewed judgement about someone else without regard to their own failures in life. They didn’t give their failures any thought because they believe their failures to be excusable. But if they understood the word of God… hey lets get real, if any of us put the word of God into action as it’s intended and applied it to our lives, how often would our lips be zipped?! God’s righteousness will not allow anyone to be excused for judging others. He is righteous. We are far, far from it.
God’s not Snarky, but I am
Romans 2:1-11 KJVS
[1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
When I read verse 2, I read it as if God had a snarky attitude. Of course Paul wrote the words of the Lord, so maybe Paul did! To country quote what Paul is saying, “O man,you’re inexcusable! You’re judging people when you do the same or worse. But you are sure that the judgement of God is going to go way worse for them. O man! You think you’re going to escape judgment, think again.
That’s what it would have said if this were the Bible according to Shari. But it’s not, so Paul’s writing is much more eloquent. And it’s what God told him to say, so there’s that.
The judging that’s on my mind and heart this morning is that of the current state of health in America. Vaccine or no vaccine, mask or no mask, stay home or go out, home school or public school? It’s ridiculous (yes I’m judging) from my perspective. I seldom think I have the right to infringe my beliefs upon others. Note I said seldom, not that I don’t ever do it. But knowing that God did not make me the keeper of another man’s life, I do not ever feel I have the right to insist that he or she follow my conviction. If i feared for my life, I’d stay home. I don’t. So I’m going to work, church or where ever I desire because I’m not living my life in the fear that “I feel” media has put into the minds of America. What is most concerning to me is that Christians don’t consider it judging to tell another person they shouldn’t feel the way they do. It’s considered right or left thinking rather than right or wrong thinking. Oh yeah, I went there.
I went there because a fellow Christian went there with me last week when they insinuated I shouldn’t involve politics in my Christian teaching. For the record, I name the sin not the political party and they applied it to the party, not me. They caused me to question whether or not I should speak out on certain sins that are apart of our current political climate and debates. The Apostle Paul called out the sins of the day, (which happen to still be active sins). He gave the Romans, Corinthians, Philippians and others a message that they could apply to the current events and struggles they were facing. Should that not be how we minister today?
When Paul spoke on judging others, obviously it was an issue. It’s still an issue. But what’s more of an issue is the fact that we’re worried about whether or not someone has the vaccine inside their body and not Jesus. I want to ask anyone who’s complained about someone not wearing a mask, or not taking the vaccine, “When is the last time you ask someone about the condition of their soul?” If you call yourself a Christian and you are more concerned about their vaccine status than you are if they’re going to Hell. Zip it.
As is every message I bring, that “zip it” was a reminder for me too. I do not care if you’re vaccinated or if you wear a mask. But sometimes I care a little too much that you care. Sometimes I forget that fear is a real monster that’s not hiding under the bed. It’s living out in the open in Washington DC. And people feel what they feel and I should acknowledge that and not make light of it. So, I’ll believe your fearfulness. But please, listen to my love for your soul.
