So as we are reading thru Romans, we’ve hit a snag…anyone surprised? We really didn’t get very far either! Romans 2:1 in the NRSV starts off, “Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are (you gotta hate it when Paul says that!), when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.” Now, that language seems to me to be both plain and an accurate translation from the Greek. So, what’s going on? Are you perfect? So why do we judge others? I made the statement, and I stand by it: Some church folks are some of the most judgmental people I have ever met! HELLO! Did you judgmental church people ever read Romans 2:1? Forget the rest of the letter or even the book…this is all we really need to know. Unless you want to condemn yourself, do not judge others…period. This is not holding someone accountable. This is not looking for fruit in their lives. This is not even encouraging someone to a higher standard. This is judging someone when we do not know the facts…this is holding someone to a standard that we ourselves will not agree to…this is condemning someone for something we see as less than righteous. Someone stated it well…we have become the Old Testament nation of Israel whom we condemn because they have turned from God...except we don’t even realize it. Yeah, I know you're thinking this is for everyone else in the church, but here’s something you might want to remember: “There but by the grace of God go I.”
2 comments:
That probably was brought home to me best when Chuck was in the hospital after his stroke. An older gentleman, who was also a patient in the hospital, was causing quite a scene in the hospital hallway outside Chuck's room. I am sure he suffered from dementia but I will admit he was pretty frightening to me. One of Chuck and my favorite nurses said to us “There but by the grace of God go I.” That spoke volumes to me that day!
Sometimes it is hard not to judge someone else but if we would take the time to ask ourselves, "How would I be if I walked in their shoes" maybe we would have a little more patience & compassion for our brothers & sisters! And that's the truth!
I for one am not suprised, for I am one who has been judged by church people, my church people, on the occasion of my wife leaving me. I had done nothing wrong, but she left and I stayed, and needed my church more than ever but they turned their backs save a couple who did not shun me. Now she is living with a married man and breaking up a 30+ year marriage, but there are still church people keeping in touch with her after she has broken up two families, I will never understand it...
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