2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17 ESV, Romans 2:1-24 ESV, Psalm 10:16-18 ESV, Proverbs 19:8-9 ESV
Daily Verse: “We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.” (Romans 2:2 ESV)
PRASSO (4238): “To practice, i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually. In Rom 2:3, he who does, poieo, the things mentioned, is warned against judging those who practice them, prasso.[i]
Perform repeatedly.
Writing to the Romans, Paul highlights the downside of judging others; you condemn yourself. God judges, not us. Loving others means not judging them. Unfortunately, forming incorrect opinions about others comes naturally, causing damage to relationships.
Instead of practicing judgment, change your thought patterns by repeatedly seeking Jesus. Beginning a daily practice of reading God’s Word, journaling and praying will change the way you look at others. Instead of judging them for their sin, you will love them in it.
Allowing the scriptures to illuminate your heart will help you become self-aware. As the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, you become more graceful. Judging others may take the attention off you, but it doesn’t negate the truth.
Grace required.
Everyone needs grace because everyone sins. My sin may differ from yours, but the price remains the same, death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)
Before you point the finger at someone else, do some soul searching. Yank the plank from your eye before pulling the splinter from someone else’s. Thinking of yourself better than others never ends well.
Jesus humbled Himself for humanity. Born in a nasty manger, raised as a carpenter, and died on a Cross for you. Christ didn’t sacrifice Himself for you to judge. Jesus did it to show you how to love.
Judge less, love more. The world will thank you.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 209) Thomas Nelson
