Lavonne Baker, Sister in Christ

 

James 4:11-12

“Brothers do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against this brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement on it. There is only one lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.  But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” NIV

 

“Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk.  You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it.  God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?” The  Message

 

Reflection:

Who are we indeed to “judge our neighbor” or “meddle in the destiny of others?” But wait a minute you say, we may think we can judge. After all, we’re older, smarter, have more experience, etc. Or the most deadly, “I think I’m right.” It all seems so clear to us about how things should be or how they should go. We all fall into this trap, and then the trouble begins with saying something, even unknowingly, hurtful. Before you know it, you have alienated those you had no intention of pushing aside. This is the last thing we want and it certainly does not foster conversation or advance God’s Kingdom.

 

I’m reminded of the Bible story of the woman the religious leaders and town wanted to stone because she was living as a prostitute. They brought her to Jesus for him to “judge”, thinking he would surely condemn her to death by stoning. After all that was the current law of that time. He’s God’s Son, the only one who could pass perfect judgement. What did Jesus do? He said “You who are without sin throw the first stone.”  (John 8:7). All the crowd faded away. In their hearts they knew they weren’t without sin.  We also know in our hearts we fall short many times in the day, but thank God, we are set free from that bondage of perfection, and it makes us gloriously perfect and righteous in His eyes.

 

Let us remember that when we are tempted to say an unkind or snarky remark about someone or when someone has not lived up to our standards. “Who do we think we are?” The answer: we are God’s children. Lovingly made perfect in God’s eyes because of Jesus Christ, working to advance God’s Kingdom.

 

Prayer:

Lord, I remember that you are the only perfect judge, and I leave that to you. You are in control of things even when it doesn’t seem like it. Fill my heart with your Holy Spirit and give me discernment as I go about my day. All praise and glory to you and your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.