J: Judgment

Today's  topic is judgment. I thought about this blog post all day. I didn't really want to tackle the subject of judgment because it's huge and there are many ways of seeing it. The most common bible verse we hear about judgment is “Judge not, lest ye be judged (Luke 6:37).”

But I know that I am to show judgment (discernment and wisdom) in the way I conduct my own life. As a parent, I judge situations and safety all the time. My experience has taught me to select adult women as babysitters – preferably a close family member. I don't leave my kids in the care of men or teenage boys. That may seem judgmental, but to me, it is wisdom.

It's hard not to judge others. The temptation to pass judgment is nearly always present when I'm around other people (whether that be family, colleagues, friends, neighbors, students, and the friends and playmates of my own children).

The other day I took my kids to a McDonald's Play Land so they could play while I graded papers. The first thing I noticed when I walked in, was the stale body odor from a group of homeless men sitting at a table near the door. And my immediate reaction was repugnance and fear for my children's safety. Do I have the right to be repulsed by the presence of these men in public? I wish I had reacted by offering to buy them a hamburger.

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

James 2:13

Do you struggle with being judgmental? Or do you have more experience with being on the receiving end of judgment? And what are some of the positive ways we judge?

H: Heaven

In my Father’s house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2

I have often heard certain legalists intone some version of this sentiment: “If the choice were between heaven and nothing, I would choose to live as I please.” Have you ever thought that? That living a “right” life is just too difficult? That heaven sounds boring in comparison with our mortal life on earth?

I am guilty of thinking that heaven will be a bit boring. But the older I get, the more I look forward to a less intense life. And, I think about what eternity will be like. Will heaven be boring? Well living in a mansion with the saints and angels, with God and Jesus doesn’t actually sound so bad. I don’t live in a mansion now – and I have to worry and work hard to live a very humble life.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4

In heaven there will be no bickering, complaining, whining; no sadness and no pain. Yes, please! Sign me up. I can’t wait to get to heaven!

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Dear Readers: What do you imagine heaven is like? Please leave a comment below...

B: Believe

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:31

Even in the presence of Jesus, some faltered in their belief, such as this man:

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 9:24

I believe that Jesus is Lord. There is just so much historical proof of his birth, death, and resurrection. Not just the biblical accounts, but secular history agrees with these records. But, discussing my belief can cause atheists and agnostics to come out of the woodwork with all of their arguments against belief. I’m sorry to say, that scientific theories do not affect my belief in God. 

I believe because I have seen God’s work and have felt His presence. I believe because I was given a strong foundation of belief by being raised in a community where nobody voiced doubts about God’s existence. I believe even when it’s difficult and my faith is tested and the atheists shout their theories in my face. In the end, this sums up the reason I will never consider giving up my faith in God:

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

- C.S. Lewis

A: Acceptance

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15:7

Have you ever been rejected for something out of your control? Have you been judged and/or shunned for something a family member or friend did? Maybe you were judged for being poor, wearing the "wrong" clothes, being uncoordinated, looking different, or some other random factor. That's not fair and that's not the love and acceptance we believers are supposed to give to the world.

You want to be loved and accepted by God and by others? Then show acceptance to others. If you do not approve of someone's choices, you will never influence them to know the love of Jesus by judging and rejecting them. 

In our church's homeless ministry, we have a saying: "love them 'til they ask you why." That means to love the unlovables, not by beating them over the head with scriptures, but just by showing them grace and acceptance. Another saying I've heard is this, "preach the gospel; if necessary, use words."

What if Jesus had shunned the homeless, prostitutes, thieves, and other sinners?

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17

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Dear Readers, 

For the month of April, I've signed up for two blogging challenges:

                  &  

The A to Z challenge calls for a letter-inspired post each day, except Sundays through the month of April; and the Ultimate Blog Challenge calls for a daily blog post. I look forward to meeting these challenges and having some fun this month.

What Does God Hate?

Y-E-S! My month of daily blogging is officially over! Thirty-one daily blogs - now, I need a nap! It’s been a great experience, but it will not be continuing. I am officially done (until the next challenge). In February, I will blog on Sundays and Wednesdays only.

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In response to yesterday’s blog featuring the Christian Democrats of America’s song “What are Your Values?” and the line that said, “if it is hate, it is not of God.” I had someone tell me that there are things that God hates. So I would like to explore the things (not people) God hates here:

 

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

1. A proud look: Pride – the devil’s sin. I think many of us struggle with this. We get a little bit of power or accomplishment and we think we are better than. Some say, I work hard, why should I pay more taxes than those who earn less? We see a homeless person holding a cardboard sign and mutter, “Get a job!” Someone struggles with a sin that is not a temptation for us and we feel superior. A woman has to work to keep her family off welfare and people say, “A woman’s place in is the home.” I struggle with pride at times myself. Being humble and away from judging others is a constant struggle.
2. A lying tongue: not just the big lies. Most people become comfortable telling little white lies. Nope, there are no “little” sins.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood: this one is a no-brainer. Everyone I know – whether believer or atheist agrees that murder and violence are wrong.
4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations: I’m not sure what this is exactly. But I would venture that it can be a lot of things: holding a grudge, lustful thoughts, bitterness, hatred, etc. all those impure thoughts we have to battle against. There have been many – MANY – times when I have abstained from taking communion at church because of my feelings toward another person – lack of forgiveness, anger, etc. Keeping the mind pure and godly is a struggle many of us face.
5. Feet that are swift in running to mischief: Do I sometimes say things to get a reaction? Guilty. I tell myself, “I’m just being honest,” but that’s not always my only motivation. What are some other ways feet can run to mischief? Probably many…but I would love to hear from readers some examples ….
6. A false witness that speaketh lies: ever heard the saying “snitches get stitches”? Yes, me too. I’m the youngest of five kids. I learned early not to be a tattle-tale. But tattling and bearing false witness are not the same. If something is wrong, speak up. If you are asked what happened, tell the truth! If you are summoned to appear in court, don’t come up with creative ways to avoid bearing the whole truth. If you see an injustice, don’t look away. People are depending on you to do what is right.
7. And he that soweth discord among brethren: are you afraid to ask questions about God? Asking questions because you want to discover the truth is not sowing discord. Judging and shunning someone who seeks the truth is sowing discord. Why can’t we have an open, honest search for God’s truth? Nothing is more important than this. But, this may be related to those who spread gossip about other believers. People who cast judgment on others – you’re not God, you’re not the Holy Spirit. If you need to address an issue of sin, do it directly by speaking love into that person’s life. Sowing discord is gossiping behind someone’s back.

What do you think of these things? What can you add? I would love to hear your thoughts.

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On another note: I’d like to wish a happy birthday to my big sister – in our adult lives we’ve become good friends and I’m so glad she’s in my life. I love you Karin J