It's an easy trap to fall into, judging folks. We all have done it, or are currently doing it. We look at a person and the thoughts that cross our mind are less than kind. Or we read into something a person says, turning it into what it never was intended to be. Maybe you look at a particular Minister or church member and find every flaw they have in them and deem the church in general as a fraud.
As we walk this human road, we must be aware of the potholes along life's journey; holes that have been strategically placed by the devil himself to trip us up and cause us to miss the mark that God has for us. They are often cleverly disguised as something good, something that makes you think you are actually doing the right thing when in fact, it's only leading you further into the hole.
Sometimes we think we are God's Sheriff and that it's up to us to make sure everyone is living on the up and up, doing what they should be doing, not saying what they should not be saying, not thinking what they should not be thinking, not going where they should not be going. And we think it's our job to be sure everyone knows said person is making said mistake, because in all honesty, we think it makes us look better.
Anyone?
No, of course not.
And yet, we can skim through any social media site right now and see horrible things posted about Minister's, Christians and all around great people. And what's worse, is it's often posted by Ministers, Christians and all around great people.
You may think "if I don't expose this hypocrisy, nobody will. They will be led astray!" Didn't Jesus Himself say to take a look at the plank in your own eye before you focus on someone else? Oh man. Jesus' life on Earth was such a phenomenal example of how to walk this human road. He did not go around exposing people, He moved in forgiveness, He moved in Healing, He moved in Compassion. If you want to talk about the people He exposed, let's talk about the religious folks of His day. He was not cool with the way they operated...
I get it. I know there's some crazy stuff out there, I know there are false prophets galore. I know there are people that absolutely prostitute the gospel for their gain. I totally get it. And it's flat wrong. But I also know that there are well meaning people out there, doing their best to reach a hurting world for Christ. Maybe you don't agree with their methods, maybe they don't preach enough scripture for your approval, or perhaps their tool of ministry is so far out of the box you think they are cult status!
At the end of the day, we are judged by our fruit. If what they are doing is producing long lasting, life changing fruit, then pray God's blessing on them. If the fruit that is being produced is rotten, then pray God's hand to be in the situation and leave it at that. God's kind of an expert at dealing with people!
Ephesians says this: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."
We are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Wow. If you call yourself a believer in Jesus, you're in the club my friend! Regardless of your denominational stance, regardless of how you were raised, regardless of your opinion on the issues of our day, regardless of how you look, regardless of where you're from, regardless of what you wear to church, regardless of your tattoo's or your lack of tattoo's, regardless of what kind of music you like, regardless of how you are raising your kids, regardless of how you think church should look like, regardless of you lifting your hands in worship or you keepin' em low, regardless of your awesomeness or your lack thereof, WE ARE THE CHURCH!
We are the Church.
The Bible says that we know we have passed from death to life when we love the brethren. Do you truly want to live? Love your brother. Love your sister. They may have a totally different way of showing Jesus than you do, and that's ok. How boring would the Church be if everyone did exactly the same thing? Granted, I think we all should rock big hair. But that's not fair to my handsome bald husband so I'll have to accept the fact that everyone is unique in their own way!
Listen, this human road is not always easy. It's wrought with so many potholes along the way. We face real life struggles on this journey such as family issues, health problems & financial crisis. We don't have time to focus on what everyone else is or isn't doing right. Let's leave the judgement to the Lord. After all, He's super skilled at running the world.
