God’s Righteous Judgment

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Romans 2:1-3 NKJV

Who are you to judge?

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

James 4:11-12 NKJV

Give freely

And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? 

For even sinners love those who love them. 

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? 

For even sinners do the same. 

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? 

For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; 

and your reward will be great, 

and you will be sons of the Most High. 

For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:31-36 NKJV

Blind leading the blind

And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Luke 6:39-42

*****

Please join me this week in praying for someone who is judgmental. Pray that their heart is softened and that they become more open-minded for those who live their lives differently. Then, finally, please pray that the judgmental person becomes an honorable image-bearer for Christ; someone that a non-Christian will feel he/she can approach.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Judge not

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 

For with what judgment you judge, 

you will be judged; 

and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured back to you.

Matthew 7:1-2

*****

Please join me this week in praying for someone who is judgmental. Pray that their heart is softened and that they become more open-minded for those who live their lives differently. Then, finally, please pray that the judgmental person becomes an honorable image-bearer for Christ; someone that a non-Christian will feel he/she can approach.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

A hard heart

I'm dealing with several people in my life right now who don't seem to have the capacity, or even the willingness to forgive. It breaks my heart. Nothing in this life is unforgivable if the person admits their error, apologizes and is willing to do better. I look back on all of the mistakes I've made in my life and try to imagine if family and friends didn't forgive me, where would I be right now? I look back at those mistakes and remember them and remember the second chances I've had whenever I come across someone who's made a mistake. How can I not give them a second chance? How can I possibly judge them for what they've done wrong in the past when I have a sin-filled, mistake-ridden past myself?
     I went to a motorcycle rally several years ago and lived in a house with a local, his family, and about 20 other bikers from all across the U.S. We ate dinner outside at card tables and I sat with two men whom I hadn't met. They introduced themselves and one of the men told me he had spent several years in jail for killing a man. He was completely serious. He told me all about it and how awful he felt about it. He chose to be open with the people he met so they would know something about him and could either condemn him for his past or choose to get to know the man he is now. I was so intrigued by this gentle soul as he told me his story. While serving time, he became a Christain. He had made his peace with God and had done his time in the eyes of the law. He remarried and he and his wife went to different prisons to tell his story and share the gospel with inmates, giving them hope and letting them know that Christ died for their sins. This man was an artist. He was gentle and kind and I consider it a blessing to have met him.
     Learn to forgive and forget. Learn not to judge. A hard heart is an ugly heart and reflects on the person who wears it.

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. 

Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. 

Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 

Give, and it will be given to you: 

good measure, pressed down, shaken together, 

and running over will be put into your bosom. 

For with the same measure that you use, 

it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:37-38

*****

Please join me this week in praying for someone who is judgmental. Pray that their heart is softened and that they become more open-minded for those who live their lives differently. Then, finally, please pray that the judgmental person becomes an honorable image-bearer for Christ; someone that a non-Christian will feel he/she can approach.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray for the judgmental

A couple who recently converted to Christianity was asked what their opinion of Christians was when they were unbelievers, and their answer was that Christians are too judgmental.  I'm sure a lot of people see us that way and it may be why they're hesitant to listen to what we have to say. People enjoy their sinning and don't want to give it up. I've read several books that all seem to agree...
accept the person and their sin, (but pray for them)
build a relationship with them without being judgmental
then, share the gospel.
They will see how you live your life and want that peace that they see in you.

I'm paraphrasing of course, but that's how I understand it. Instead of shying away from people who are outwarding living a life of sin, show compassion for them and build a relationship with them. Just wagging a finger at an unbeliever isn't going to accomplish anything but pushing them further away. How many Christians sin every single day? 100%

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

John 8:7-9

*****

Please join me this week in praying for someone who is judgmental. Pray that their heart is softened and that they become more open-minded for those who live their lives differently. Then, finally, please pray that through their example the judgmental person becomes an honorable image-bearer for Christ; someone that a non-Christian will feel he/she can approach.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power