May 7 “Judge Not… PLEASE!” John 8:1-11
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:1-11)
Recently, I had the opportunity, to share Jesus, with a young couple that I met at the Walgreens, in Zebulon. I asked, “Where do you go to church?” Their response was a bit sad, and a bit telling! “We don’t go to church anywhere! We have sworn off church!” Wow! I was intrigued that this young couple, had formed such a strong opinion of church and the participation there of. Slightly challenged, I asked, “why?” Their corporate answer was heartbreaking and enlightening! “We used to go to church! We were brought up in the church! After High School, the two of us decided that we would live together, so save some money, as we attended college. One Sunday, two of the older ladies of the church cornered us and let us know that we were going to Hell because of our living arrangements, and that we were not worthy of church membership! We were dumbfounded! They went on to say that they knew that we were having inappropriate relations, and that we were, again, going to Hell!” What was I to say? I immediately apologized for the words and actions of people that I did not even know. Wow! What happened to “Love Your Neighbor as Thyself?” What happened to “Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged?” How many individuals have been “Turned Off” with organized church, because of such attitudes and behaviors? I recognize that certain behaviors of humanity, are in direct conflict with the teachings of God’s Word, however, it is our responsibility to “LOVE” one another, and create a relationship that will allow the opportunity to share the Love of God, through Jesus Christ, and navigate individuals to a Saving Experience, and then, the Holy Spirit will correct, guide, direct and chastise, not us!! The scriptures tell us to Love our Neighbors, and there aren’t any caveats or exclusions! Friends, we are all, on a journey of growth and maturity, in our walk with Christ, and we need to define our role, embrace our calling and be ready to guide and direct others into God’s Love, not the judgmental wrath of our own tongues, as we, self-righteously condemn others! Matthew 7:1-2 plainly expresses the challenges and results of judging others! “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Do you want to be judged by the standards that you set for others? The older that I become, and the more that I study and meditate on God’s Word, I recognize that my job, my calling, through the sacrificial Blood of Jesus, that I am to Love my Neighbor, and share the Love of Jesus Christ, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into a proper and healthy growing relationship with our Lord! Please be careful when you are about to judge someone. Please consider the impact of your words and actions on those that do not have your personal relationship with the Savior! Please know that I am aware that “Right is Right, and Wrong is Wrong,” but it is not my job to condemn or to judge! My job, my calling is to share the Love of God and pray that that individual will experience the same life-changing direction that God’s Grace has provided for me! Just a follow-up… I encountered this young couple, just a few days ago, and the young man informed me that they were going to be married and that they had started attending a church, in Clayton. Then, they both asked if I would consider performing their wedding ceremony. Dear Friends, all I could do was to “Shout” in my mind… THANK YOU LORD! Love is an amazing thing… God’s Love is a HEALING THING… and when we share God’s Love, we become part of the healing! Let us choose Love, not Judgement! Let us choose building up, not tearing down! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!