Taking It to Work:
We all can forget very quickly that we were not always like we are now. I remember myself. I was an arrogant and self-focused teen, with little regard for others. Even after I gave my life to Christ, it took years for my behavior to truly start to reflect that change. Many of the things that I ended up repenting for later in life, were not even on the radar as being wrong when I was actually doing them. That may seem naïve, but coming from my background, it took quite a few years of the Holy Spirit doing His work before I would have been considered by most a “Good Christian”.
Here’s the real issue though, if I was at work, and was to meet and get to know my younger self, I would not have liked him. I would have looked at his demeanor, his friends, the way he was living, his work ethic, and would have given very little hope that he could ever amount to much, let alone be saved. I certainly would not have wanted my daughter to date him. I would not have picked him as a good candidate to mentor. I would have, in all honesty wrote that young guy off.
And guess what? I’m still me, making those flawed judgments of people who God is not finished with yet.
The good news: it’s not our job to judge others; it is the Lord’s. We can’t possibly do it accurately, and we act with unbelievable arrogance to think that we can. Only God, through Jesus, has the the right heart, foresight and understanding to judge a person worthy or unworthy. He also starts from a place of selfless, long-suffering, agape love, where in general, we start more from the side of a selfish indifference. That sounds harsh, but just look at your own life, would you have put up with you for all these years? I wouldn’t have with me. No way.
The immeasurable love of the Father shines through Jesus. Even in His judgment of this very broken world, He does not lose sight of His perfect love for each of His children who are still very far from His best for them, including us. His love is unfading.
On the other hand, the more we judge others, the harder it is for us to love. So, that young guy at work who seems to be a “bad tree”. . . be careful and remember, in some degree, we were that person before the love of God intervened. Let God judge; we are called to love, encourage, and pray that all would be saved, even those people who act just like we used to.
As for that young guy at work, for the record, I still wouldn’t let your daughters date him, but don’t write him off completely, as His Word is hopefully working on both him and you, today.
John 5:21-23 (ESV) – For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Matt 3:10 (ESV) – Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matt 7:12 (ESV) – Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
2Pet 3:9 (ESV) – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
Judgment is for the Son. The Father has given to the Son the suffering and love of the world. In this, all judgment is complete, and perfect justice comes. Those of the Way follow in long-suffering, without condemnation of another, for it is not the place of the follower to cast sentence. To judge the tree is prudent, but of the fruit only, and its season may not have come. The soul that condemns, condemns also itself, but he who forgives and uplifts, will also be. It is wise to avoid harm, but wiser to avoid inflicting the same. You have been forgiven much, and for many seasons your fruit was judged correctly. Do not forget the grace given, that you would not shed your own fruit. The fruit of My Spirit bears fruit on your bough, and without it, the branch becomes barren. Even a branch that once produced a great crop can forget its own forgiveness, and bare it can become. Abide in My Spirit. Love much in forgiveness, and great will be your harvest.
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