Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel
Jesus told us not to judge others. When we judge, we bring judgment upon ourselves, because we’re not perfect either. Oftentimes the judgmental thoughts and comments we make about other people say more about ourselves, our fears, and our hardness of heart than it does about the person we judge.
In the letter from James in the Bible, James writes, “For the one -- (he’s talking about Jesus) -- who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ Now, if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:11-12
In other words: There are many types of sin in this world, and we are all sinners. We are all guilty of making choices that go against God’s loving plan for us. So, just because you commit certain sins instead of other sins -- sins that you judge to be worse than yours -- does not mean that you are better than anyone else.
One day we will stand in front of the Lord, and we do not want to carry our guilt as well as our judgment. Ask for forgiveness. Do not judge others. Jesus is a merciful, loving and compassionate God. Are we merciful, loving, and compassionate?
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13
