7:1 "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.
7:2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
7:3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
7:4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye?
7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus …said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” . . . [the disciples] said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus . . . said, “For mortals it is impossible, but . . . for God all things are possible.” Mark 10:23, 26-27 (NRSV)

Several times I have heard Christians say to others whose attitude or behavior they considered wrong: “You will not be saved.” Such statements bother me, particularly when addressed to someone in response to his or her ideas or questions about faith. I think no believer should judge the faithfulness or religious sensibility of others —

the way they read the Bible, the way they pray, whether or not they go to church. Scripture teaches that God, not humans, will decide who enters the kingdom. While it is up to us to witness to our faith in Christ through our behavior, it is not ours to judge what’s in another’s heart. Only God can do that.

We aspire to salvation, to eternal life, but the only one who can give it to us is the Lord, because “for mortals [salvation] is impossible.” But “everything is possible for God.” And God offers salvation to all.

Prayer

Almighty Lord, you alone are the judge and can bring us close to you for all eternity. Help us to lead others to know you. Amen.

Prayer focus - Those whose Christian practices differ from mine

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Do Not Judge!

Prayer