Laying The Judging Aside
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
John 12:47
If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
O-bservation:
Jesus was speaking to His disciples, but Jewish leaders, many of them religious leaders, were always pushing back on what he said. Here Jesus said, “If people hear me talk, but don’t follow what I say, I don’t judge them.” He said that He hadn’t come to judge the world, but to save it. He said He would leave the judging to His Father who had sent him. It’s hard to read these words of Jesus and not walk away without, “Laying The Judging Aside.”
A-pplication:
In my travels and my local ministry, I’ve found that Christians can be some of the most judgmental people in the world. I’m always surprised by it when I witness it. One thing I’ve learned is that you’re going to be about judging others, or you’re going to lay that aside and work to save others. It’s hard to do both. Saving others requires loving others. It also requires looking over offenses and sins and anything else that does not speak of the character of Jesus. Judges don’t have to do any of that. They don’t have to get to know people they don’t naturally like. They don’t have to ever look over a fault, or forgive the offender, ever. No! All they have to do is open their mouth and start spewing judgments on others. But if Jesus didn’t have time to judge others, and if He turned the judgment over to the One who had sent Him, shouldn’t we do that too? Our only choice must be about “Laying The Judging Aside.”
P-rayer:
Dear Jesus,
I’m all in with You again today. I’ve been reminded once again that I have NO TIME for judging others and only time for saving others. Help me be like You. Amen
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