Who Are We To Judge Our Neighbor?
This has been heavy on my heart lately. I have said it myself and recently I have heard it a lot more often ... but it was not until recently that I realized, in most circumstances, I don't have the right to even say the following phase: "it's too little too late!"
Now if I'm talking about my golf game and I'm 5 shots behind Jim with two holes left to play and I have just made two birdies ... even though I have improved my play, I am not going to be able to catch him ... I don't have enough holes left to play. So yes, in this circumstance it is a case of too little too late. But how can we say this about Our Christian Walk or Our Brother's/Sister's Christian Walk?
How do we really know what we need? How do we really know what is best for us? How do we really know what is best for someone else? Who gave us the power and authority to judge our neighbor?
I am a deacon in my church. I know that I have much to offer and it's because of the grace of God that I can do this. God has given me a gift to be used in away that is pleasing to him. That's the easy part. It's the areas that I am not gifted where it's a struggle. But none the less I need to continually work to improve myself in these areas and to do this I need to be encouraged and supported... OR DO I? ... perhaps some feel any growth I show in my faith from now on is "too little too late" ... I certainly hope not ... I'm going to let God decide that one!
(James Chapter 4: Verses 11-12)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?
(1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: Verses 9-11)
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now if I'm talking about my golf game and I'm 5 shots behind Jim with two holes left to play and I have just made two birdies ... even though I have improved my play, I am not going to be able to catch him ... I don't have enough holes left to play. So yes, in this circumstance it is a case of too little too late. But how can we say this about Our Christian Walk or Our Brother's/Sister's Christian Walk?
How do we really know what we need? How do we really know what is best for us? How do we really know what is best for someone else? Who gave us the power and authority to judge our neighbor?
I am a deacon in my church. I know that I have much to offer and it's because of the grace of God that I can do this. God has given me a gift to be used in away that is pleasing to him. That's the easy part. It's the areas that I am not gifted where it's a struggle. But none the less I need to continually work to improve myself in these areas and to do this I need to be encouraged and supported... OR DO I? ... perhaps some feel any growth I show in my faith from now on is "too little too late" ... I certainly hope not ... I'm going to let God decide that one!
(James Chapter 4: Verses 11-12)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?
(1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: Verses 9-11)
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
posted by Harley McCarville at 10:01 am
I think you said it best when you said to me (of "too little too late") "I'm glad Christ didn't say 'too little too late' with us."
Awesome stuff on this blog, keep it up bro.
Thanks Ben ... I often wonder if what I am writing is hitting the mark or if it is way off base ... it's nice to get the feed back and support!
Thanks Bro
Everything I have to offer to God is too little too late, hence the whole Jesus dying thing.