“Judge not, that you be not judged.” ~Jesus

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Jesus Manifesto, Jesus Sayings, Judge, Judgement, Matthew 7

Should I judge others? Jesus is clear. I have plenty of my own issues. I should look in the mirror and focus on how I miss God’s goal (aka sin). And, there is plenty to focus on there. The list is quite long.

How about if I just judge less? The issue isn’t about judging less. The issue is not assuming a role that isn’t mine. Jesus challenges me to not judge at all. I clearly have a problem with this. I think I know a lot. I see “right and wrong”. Why not judge? I have been given some level of authority in life.

Who is the Judge? Jesus has been given the role of Judge by his Heavenly Father. I can serve other roles but Judge is not one of them. Jesus said “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.” God is God. God is in charge. Jesus has given me the standards of how I should live. There is plenty there to focus on starting with Judge not.

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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.

Source: Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

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“You’re looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Jonah, Judgement, Justice, King Solomon, Matthew 12, Miracle, Wisdom

I want proof but I am not prepared to believe it. Jesus gives me proof.

I get to decide whether to accept the proof or not. God is not going to force me. It is my decision to believe or not. I have to curb my lust for miracles and accept that God is God.

The religious leaders are bold in demanding proof from the Son of God. Jesus is wise in responding. Jesus knows who is in charge and what kind of proof will be given. Jesus is at peace where this is all heading. Jesus is focused on God’s goal.

Jesus challenges me to focus as well. Jesus knows that justice is going to prevail. There will be a day of judgement.

Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees got on him. “Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?”

Jesus said, “You’re looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you want is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. The only proof you’re going to get is what looks like the absence of proof: Jonah-evidence. Like Jonah, three days and nights in the fish’s belly, the Son of Man will be gone three days and nights in a deep grave.

“On Judgment Day, the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day, the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that will condemn this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’

Source: Matthew 12:38-42

“Those who have lived the wrong way, will walk into a resurrection Judgment.” ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Judgement, Life, Resurrection

Jesus is always clear. There will be a resurrection.

There will also be a  judgement. Those who have lived the right way are going to walk into life. Those who haven’t won’t will walk into judgement.

No confusion here at all. I acknowledge that I am clear about this.

God is God. Jesus is the only Judge. God has also given all judgement over to His son, Jesus the Messiah.

I am clear about that as well. There is a resurrection of life. In Him, we live that kind of life.

May I stay clear about what is before me and live the resurrection life.

“Those who have lived the wrong way, will walk into a resurrection Judgment.” ~~Jesus John 5:28-29 (The Message)

“Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Love, Matthew 25, Sheep

Jesus has some great news, for some of us. That is not always what we hear or want to hear.

Not all of us will enter into God’s country (aka the Kingdom of God). Jesus has been appointed Judge. As we stand there in front of Jesus, justice will be done. There is an eternal reward waiting for some of us. There is eternal doom waiting for others. Jesus loves us but he will also judge us. There is no “free lunch” or get out of jail free card.

Jesus challenges me to love. For Jesus, love is very practical. Love is feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, giving a room to the homeless, clothing those who are cold, visiting the sick and prisoners. Jesus has a goal for what my love should look like. This is how I will be judged, not by what I say but by what I do.

Am I a sheep or am I a goat? Jesus will let me know. I know what to do to ensure the right answer to that question. I must focus and do it.

“When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’

Source: Matthew 25:31-36

“It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.” ~Apostle Paul

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Criticism, Jesus, Judgement, Romans 2

I don’t want to be condemned. No way, no how.

I want to live in freedom. I don’t want that guilt in my life.

And so, God says over and over in His message of good news to me. I am free from all the things I have done that miss His goal for me.

I need to reflect Jesus love and freedom to others and eliminate criticism and judgement from my ways. I am not to judge, period. Jesus is clear on that.

God is God. God is in charge. God will judge me. I must take advantage of his mercy every day. No way around that.

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done. Romans 2:1-2

May I live free from judgmental criticism.

"Did you have any idea that God’s government was right on your doorstep?" ~~Jesus

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God's government, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Kingdom, Luke 10, Sodom

Jesus has brought in a new World (Kingdom) and a new agreement for how we are to live. We are His Ambassadors.

We deliver His message to this world. We represent Him. When we aren’t received, people miss God’s World.

An awesome responsibility for us and a challenge to those who don’t listen. Jesus is serious. He means what he says. I have learned that it is a smart thing to listen to him.

May I represent Jesus well. May those in need hear His message of Good News!!

 When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back. Did you have any idea that God’s government was right on your doorstep?’ Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you. (Luke 10:10-12 The Message)

“On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” ~Jesus

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Accountability, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Matthew 12, Words

Jesus knew the value of saying the right things. Jesus only said what He heard His Father saying.

That led Him to do what He saw His Father doing. Many things I say are pretty careless. I don’t think. I say things that hurt others. Sometimes I actually do it on purpose.

There is an accounting for what I say. There will come a time when I have to give an account of what I have said. I should spend more time talking about the way of God. That is what I want to be accountable for.

May I say what I hear God saying. May I speak the truth.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37

"And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, John 5, Judgement, Love

Authority of God

Jesus is very clear. I am not to judge others. He is also clear that all judgement has been turned over to Him by His Father.

Why? Because He is God’s Son. He gets to decide and He will carry it out. God has spoken.

If I know that, I need to act like it. I have no authority to judge. My only job is to love. Everything else is up to God and Jesus.

And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.” ~~Jesus  (John 5:25-27 The Message)

What is happening with my friends who follow Jesus?

Tags

Friends, Jesus, John 15, Judgement, Love

I think of certain friends very often. Every time I think of them, I am so thankful to God for that they live freely in Jesus. What a blessing that is.

The chains that bound them are off. Amazing.

To see their open access to God is inspiring. What Jesus has given them freely blesses me just thinking of it. I will be glad with what is happening. It is good stuff for sure. I am not one to judge. I am one who has received great gifts. I am one who owes a lot. I can only answer for myself. That is what love means. I am called to love.

There is clearly no end to what is happening to my friends. It is hard to express in words. It is hard to know what it is all about some days. If anyone needs evidence of how good God is, you just have to know them. It is all the verification that is needed.

They are a blessing. That is that and that is all there is to it.

May I continue to blessed knowing such amazing people.

John 15:14-15 The Message (MSG)

I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

“Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.” ~Apostle Paul

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2 Corinthians 5, Apostle Paul Sayings, God's Will, Jesus, Judgement, Messiah

Pleasing God

There is a main thing. I need to be clear about what it is. Ignorance, in this regard, is not an excuse. Jesus has made it known to us.

Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing. That is all there is to it on any given day. We have been given our mission. Jesus knew that his goal was to know what God wanted and to do it.

If I want to hit the target, the first thing I need to do is take aim. Is my aim today to please God? Is that my only consideration?

God is God. I will face him one day. Jesus has been given the authority, by his Father, to judge. Will I stand in his mercy or will I be condemned?

I must please God today! That is the only thing that matters. I must be cheerful about it. No grumbling allowed.

But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before the Messiah and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

Source: 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (The Message Bible)

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” ~Jesus

Tags

Criticism, Culture, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judge, Judgement, Matthew 7

Oh my goodness. We live in a world where a critical spirit is par for the course 24/7. It is in our culture and it is non stop.

Jesus wouldn’t put up with this. His challenge to us is clear. No picking on people, no jumping on their failures, no criticizing their faults. No judging of others unless we want to be judged by God. This is serious stuff. Jesus is not kidding. God’s goal for us is for us to focus on loving others. God is the judge, not us.

I need to live my part in what our Father wants me to do. That has nothing to do with anyone else. It has everything to do with my relationship with God.

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1 -5

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” ~Jesus

Tags

Criticism, Golden Rule, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Matthew 7, Respect, Understanding

“The Golden Rule” mosaic (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How do I want to be treated? With respect. With understanding. I like to be given the benefit of the doubt.

How do you want to be treated? The same way I’m sure.

 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” ~Jesus (Matthew 7:1)

I don’t want to be treated by others with a critical attittude. I should never be critical of others. God’s goal is for to love and not be judgmental.

Hard to do but through the power of His Spirit I can.

"Las Vegas and New Orleans will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you." ~Jesus

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Luke 10

Las Vegas

Tyre and Sidon were well known pagan cities in Jesus time. It might be like saying Las Vegas and New Orleans will have it easy on Judgement Day compared to Atlanta that has a church on every corner.

Jesus is in our midst performing amazing miracles. Do we see Him? Do we hear Him? Do we believe Him?

It is easy to judge places like Las Vegas and miss what He is doing in Dallas. May I see Jesus here and respond to Him.

God is God. There will be a day of judgement. We may like to believe that a loving God won’t judge us. That would be a mistake.

“Tyre and Sidon will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you.” ~Jesus (Luke 10:13-14 The Message Bible)