Bring Them Back: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample
THE CALL TO CARE: DON'T JUDGE
Somehow even people who have never read the New Testament have managed to learn certain words from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (How have those words gotten so famous?) Jesus continues, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1,2).
"Don't judge," people say, and by that they mean, "You are not allowed to criticize anything I say or do." That's not what Jesus meant, however. Other portions of his Word permit and encourage and even command us to rebuke and correct what is evil.
So what is this "judging others" that Jesus forbids?
1. Condemning the person instead of the sinful action.
2. Imagining that you are superior to someone else.
3. Imagining that you are someone's judge.
4. Enjoying finding fault with people more than building them up.
Bring them back. Don't bring them down.
Somehow even people who have never read the New Testament have managed to learn certain words from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (How have those words gotten so famous?) Jesus continues, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1,2).
"Don't judge," people say, and by that they mean, "You are not allowed to criticize anything I say or do." That's not what Jesus meant, however. Other portions of his Word permit and encourage and even command us to rebuke and correct what is evil.
So what is this "judging others" that Jesus forbids?
1. Condemning the person instead of the sinful action.
2. Imagining that you are superior to someone else.
3. Imagining that you are someone's judge.
4. Enjoying finding fault with people more than building them up.
Bring them back. Don't bring them down.
Scripture
About this Plan
This 31 day reading plan shows you that you are a member of God's rescue team, looking out for those who are drowning and throwing them the life ring of Jesus' good news, especially those who once were believers but who have drifted off. God has commissioned all of us to bring them back.
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We would like to thank Time of Grace Ministries for this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.timeofgrace.org/