a judge or a friend

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

The case is settled when it applies to Jesus. He became a friend of sinners so that he could deal with sin in the most proactive way. He takes sin, forgives sin and forgets our sin. That makes Jesus not a judge, no ones judge.

Since Jesus is our example to follow. Far too often when our lives are off center or not focused on Jesus we become a judge. It may seem innocent, but easily we become judge, jury and jailor when we look at the faults of the people we deal with. That cannot be good.

If we deal with people the way Jesus dealt with them, acceptance becomes our calling card. It is my desire to err on the side of grace. Loving people means that acceptance is a big deal to us.

James 2:13 NLT

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Showing mercy isn’t a natural thing to do. Well, it is more natural for some people, yet it is an act of mercy to overlook the points where most people get hung up. Move on. By the same standard we judge people we will be judged by God.

I’ve accepted God’s forgiveness. Therefore, I have to share that forgiveness with others. What is it in our life that keeps us from seeing the good things that God has carefully placed in the lives of people around us? It is self. It is our wrong focus or wrong motives that sets us up as judge. Those things have to become something we deal with.

Am I acting more as a judge or as a friend? If you cannot answer that with ease, it might be a good thing to ask the people closest to you what their opinion is of you being more judge or friend. Put away what makes us a judge. Put in place what makes us a friend.

Ephesians 4:31 NLT

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Accepting and forgiving others is a choice we have to make. It begins with us accepting and forgiving ourselves for the things we have done in the past. It begins with accepting what God has done for us and allowing our lives to be a funnel for those awesome characteristics of God to be experienced by the people around us.

Make it a point this week to be less judge and more friend to all the people you meet!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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