“The RoseBouquet”

Once I sat in on an adult Sunday School class and found them discussing these verses, but with the understanding that judging always meant passing sentence, or speaking very negatively about anyone. Something in my spirit was troubled for I understood judging to have several different meanings and these were ignored.

Isn’t subjective evaluation a form of judging? There are other verses (1 Cor.11:31, Col. 2:16, John 7:24), where we are to judge or evaluate ourselves, so that others will not need to do it.

Another passage (Matt. 7:16) says that “by their fruits you shall know them,” To know what kinds of fruit other people are bearing we do need to look objectively at their lives for evidence that they are in union with Christ.

Here in Matthew we find Jesus saying we need to be very careful how we judge or evaluate others, for we are going to be measured with the same scale we use on others.

Isn’t that true? Have you ever noticed how a certain woman in church who is a perfectionist and who tells everyone each little fault she observes in others is generally graded in the same detailed way by the others? At the same time, the woman who cheerfully sees the positive in everyone and smooths over mistakes, is talked about in a similar positive way? Observe people and you’ll discover that most people get back the same attitudes they dish out.

No doubt Jesus was aware of this, but I believe He was talking in terms of our accountability to God too. If we measure others with sharp and high standards, God will apply higher standards to us. If we are easier on others, He will be lighter on us. All, of course, within God’s pure and holy standards.

PRAYER: Lord, You are the ultimate perfectionist, but You judge in love. I’d rather be judged by You than some of the people I know on earth! Help me not to be critical in my evaluation of others; rather to offer encouragement and help when I see they fall short somewhere. Then I’ll be judging,or evaluating, more like You!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. You will love Ruthe’s Secret Roses if you like;
* walking and talking intimately with God
* stories of compassion and dramatic conversion
* have a bleeding, caring heart of your own
* are a caregiving older sister
* love designing clothes and make-overs
* love giving gifts and surprises
* are a mentor or counseling kind of friend.

See you on Monday! Enjoy your weekend! Spend some of it resting, okay?