7-17-20 THOUGHTS

I’m thinking this morning about not being judged.  
You might say “Phil, everyone will be judged!”  
Rom 14:10-13    But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.  11  For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." 12  So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.
Of course there’s the age old discussion as to whether the above is about determining the end, or about a sentencing that has already been determined in Christ Jesus long before?  We’ve beat verses 10-12 to death, while ignoring verse 13!  
Stop judging Phil!  Don’t put a stumbling block in front of a brother!   Will we ever learn?

In the context of  “examining ourselves”  as we partake of the Lord’s Supper...
1Cor 11:31-32    For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

It seems there is a sense in which the Christian saved by the blood of the Lamb, is chastened by God in this present world, as he is refined for the world to come.  He is a work in progress, but he belongs to God through Christ Jesus. It also seems that there is an inescapable relationship between my attitude and mind about passing judgment on others and the judgment I receive from God.  He IS the Righteous Judge you know. 2Tim 4:8

Matt 7:1-5   "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2  "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3  "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4  "Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5  "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

I don’t have all the answers in this area but the path of my behavior seems clear. I know that I need all the Grace and Mercy I can get!  I will try to be most generous when it comes my time to pass out mercy!

Jas 2:12-13    So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.13  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

My Prayer:
Oh God, teach us to flee from judging others.  Give us of your mercy as we walk through this life.  Help us to learn that love and mercy go together.  May we be overcome by your loving forgiveness and may we spontaneously forgive others.  Help us to pursue love.
In Jesus precious name                   Amen.