“Don’t judge.”
Not my words. Jesus’ words.
The focus of Sunday’s sermon was these words. The thrust of the message was that hearing and practicing these words serves as unique display of kingdom living.
Unfortunately, while Jesus said the words, reiterated the words and lived the words, and while Paul followed up by stressing the concept over and over, church folks have been notorious for disregarding the words. We are recognized as pros at judging others and practicing self righteousness.
Philosopher, and leader of the band “Mothers of Invention,” Frank Zappa once wrote, “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” My point in the sermon was that Jesus is calling us to deviate from the norm and take his words seriously. “Don’t judge.” Period.
Hopefully, the bluntness of the message, and the reality that “judging” is a way of life for many of us, causes us to think and rethink. Is it possible to “deviate from the norm” and truly reflect Jesus’ words? That is our challenge.
I have had several conversations about the sermon. All have been positive as people are thinking and rethinking and trying to take Jesus seriously. The most meaningful question I have been asked is “how do we refrain from judging and still stand for what we believe?” Great question. And one that I continue to work through in my own life. Right now, I am focusing on a similar question, “Do my personal convictions cause me to judge others?” I don’t think so. My convictions cause me to continually evaluate me, but needn’t cause me to evaluate those around me. My responsibility to those around me is to live out Jesus’ love and grace. My thinking is that if I live out my convictions and live out grace and love, everything else should fall in place.” Maybe I’m naïve, but I am convinced that my job is not to tell others how to live. My job is to live out His grace and love so that they might know Him and discover how to live through Him.
If that is naïve. Then I accept naiveté as a way of life.
The service was sweet. Jack did a great job on the organ. Erin’s song was beautiful. The Praise Team sounded really good. The “don’t judge” theme ran throughout the service and Marcia did a good job sharing that message in the children’s message.
I do hope that when you come to a stop sign, you will be reminded that when it comes to judging, we are called to “stop it.”
