Don't Judge me!
Updated: Jul 13, 2022
Welcome friends to another week.
How often have we heard don't judge a book by its cover? What may look good on the outside may not look good on the inside. We can apply this theory to movies, churches, people, and just about anything in life. We live in a world where no one wants to be judged by any standards. There are more than seven videos on YouTube about being judged. People are pleased to do what they want to do regardless of the consequences. When life does not work out to their satisfaction, it becomes another person's fault or, better yet, God's fault. God looks at the heart. Proverbs 16:2 KJV.
I am babysitting a wonderful dog this week. By all accounts, this breed is one of the worst dogs God ever created (God does not create evil animals.). These animals serve a purpose- love, companionship, and protection. People demonize this breed and others like it: selfishness, cruelty, cold hearts, abuse, and misunderstanding. Sadly no one forgives the dog.
No longer do people forgive others, themselves, or anyone who has wronged them. Yet, don't you dare judge me! People are out for blood at any cost. We see this in the news- riots, murders, and cold hearts. We are living in the days of Noah. There is not any forgiveness for anyone or anything. It is their way or the highway. Don't judge me! However, God looks at the intentions of the heart. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 KJV
I spoke with several people this week. The conversation started due to a dog. The dog was terrible, and there was not any discussion about it. Does this sound familiar? The incident was not the dog's fault. The dog has a sweet, loving nature. What was the dog's sin? She does not know how to play with other animals. So, we will judge the actions of the dog, but don't judge my actions.
The conversation continued until I asked them about salvation? I explained the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross, and the debt he paid was for our past, present, and future sins. Only time will tell if they accept Christ’s offer of grace and mercy. I don't know. Did their minds change about the poor dog? So far, this answer is no. From our conversation, I knew the dog is still a "bad dog."
The next day as I walked my dog, a man saw her and remarked what a fine dog she was. He did not know the dog as un-loveable, untrainable, or a bad dog but a dog with a beautiful heart and spirit. The man saw this dog the way God sees us.
That said, too often, people do not look at what Jesus did on the cross. They are too ready to flash the "Don't judge me sign, which means don't look at my sin. I'll do what I want to do. I can only hope they will change their minds as we are all sinners and our hearts are wicked. However, for those who have accepted Jesus's sacrifice, we are saved from his wrath. I hope that more people will take his wonderful gift before it is too late.
