PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
May
21

Mirror of Judgment

John Tilton

Scripture
Romans 2:1-4 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Observation
Paul points out the fact that its often so easy to pass judgment on others by pointing out the speck in their eye, forgetting that we also often have a plank in ours. As the word is clear, we by the very nature of our human and carnal ways will make the same mistakes that others make. Thus, what gives us the authority and right to pass judgment? God’s judgment awaits those who are prone to judge others. Yet, the Lord offers the riches that indeed surpass a judgmental character with better character traits of kindness, grace through bearing one’s failures, patience for others; the key being that it is through these attributes of God’s induced character that we will grow and flourish in a life that is exampling of God’s will and heart.
Application
In reading these scriptures and pondering those times that I have been judgmental, I realize that my judgment was based on my desires and my pride of how what transpired in someone else’s life did not meet my expectations. Aha moment! Those times were all about me, rather then what I thought was my observation of how the person I was observing could have, should have or would have; it was about I want, I need and my pride. If I was able to and now will be able to extend kindness, forbearance and patience, I will probably be able to see a solution and resolution that I may offer up instead of judgment. Or perhaps, given these responses in me, I will be able to learn a life lesson, since passing judgment will often create a cloud of negative feelings that won’t allow me to see the situation clearly to be an influence or learn a lesson.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for such insight of how judgment can clearly get in the way of being the person you’ve called me to be in example, influence and learning life lessons. I pray that you will check my spirit and speak to my heart in those times that I may be prone to pass judgment due to my expectation, desires and pride. Like Jesus, may I curtail my will and ways for your will and ways that will manifest itself through a heart of Christ applied.

Devotions for May 21

1 Kings 7
2 Chronicles 4
Psalms 98
Romans 2

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