Week 4: BEING JUDGEMENTAL BREACHES THE CORE OF CHRISTIANITY

We are quick to judge others and Christians are no exception.
It is easy to point a finger at other people’s failures and it is amazing just how fast an accusing or derogaratory remark travels. It continues to amaze just how the remark will be embellished on its journey, until eventually it bears little or no resemblance to the original statement.

Being judgmental is contrary to the very core of Christ’s teaching because He said: ’Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you’(Matthew 7:1-2).
The Lord showed compassion, mercy, forgiveness and love towards all His people and, as followers of Jesus Christ(Christians), it is imperative that we always do the same. If someone does something of which we may not approve, do we ever consider the background of the event and what unfortunate circumstances may have led to the particular act? Do we ask ourselves about the causes which led to the downfall of other Christians? Seeing that an action taken is not welcomed, what did we do to change behaviour or normalize the situation?

In the Holy Bible we have been taught that Christ’s attributes should cause us to show love and compassion. Instead we tend to be the soldiers who kill their partners in the war of sins. Being judgmental is also not showing gratitude to God for having saved us by sacrificing His son.

Instead of passing judgment on mankind and washing His hands of a fickle, sinful human race, God gave us Christ and out of His love, and through Christ, He died in our place so that we might have everlasting life.
You therefore have no excuse to pass judgment, because at whatever point you tend to judge others, you condemn yourself.
This is because most of those who pass judgment commit the very acts they judge(Romans 2:1).
Before passing judgment on each other, consider God’s love for you. Let us stop seeking sin in other people, whilst denying your own and believing only you will be forgiven.

If we claim to be real followers of Christ, why do we pass remarks discrediting other churches?   Three questions:
-What is a church?(Ephesians 2:19-22)
-Who is a sinner?(Romans 5:12-13)and
-How do you receive salvation?(Ephesians 2:8-10)

Remember, salvation is not achieved, it is received. Let us not only know about Jesus, let us understand who Jesus is in our lives, for it is our understanding of Jesus, not only what we know about him that will bring peace and fulfillment into our lives.

Message by Pastor Andrias Tumahole,Pilgrim Church Ministry