"Judge"

When the way to go won’t clearly show,

And we wonder ‘bout the path,

The choice we make, the turn we take,

Might just incur the wrath,

Of people who, think what they do,

Gives them the right to judge,

The rest of us, who try we must,

But need God’s spur and nudge.

Not saying they, and what they say,

Is not on Scripture based,

It seems to me, their take, you see,

Is just a bit two-faced.

‘Cause they look down with churchy frown,

On those who stumble through

I’ve seen a lot, and I am not,

Inclined their game to do.

And though they seem to be the cream,

Of God’s crop in their eyes,

When comes the time, we stand in line,

‘Fore God, He might surprise.

Because that kind with double mind,

Claim to Christ belong,

But it’s not clean to be that mean,

‘Bout being right, not wrong.

Don’t want to be the one, you see,

Who even judges them,

So I’ll let go, for this I know,

We’re saved by trusting Him.

Thou shalt not judge ‘cause He won’t budge,

From what His word tells clear,

Mercy, He said, we give instead,

To this we’d best adhere.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged…” (Luke 6:37, NLT)

Judging is against what God wants us to do. This doesn’t mean we don’t have discernment about what people do and why. It simply means we do not set ourselves up as the standard by which others are evaluated. God alone judges fairly and impartially. We are called to give mercy and forgiveness, and to do so as freely as these things were given to us. In other words, our response to others is filled with grace. If God allows us to accurately see the fault of another, it is so that we will pray for them and, if possible, try to help them. But never to become their judge. That is a place that God will share with no one.

Lord, teach us to stop judging and start gracing, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Weller, donweller.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.