Let's Not Make it Harder Than it Has to Be

I think most of you will agree that life is hard, actually, most of the time. We live under the shadow of the fall of man, and the sin that exists in everyone's life. It takes no effort on our part to have a horrendous day. In fact, we often have to work to make a day a good one for ourselves and for others. Life is hard enough without turning every task into a Goldberg machine.

So why, why, why, why must so many Christians work at judging others and their lives? In the process of judging others, they expend their own energy, time and happiness in making another person's life hard. WHY? I've mentioned before that I've seen many "saintly, revered" folk walk around looking like they just smelled something horrible, their faces frozen into a perpetual expression of disdain and self piety. The energy and time they expend in judgement and criticism would be far better used in furthering the cause of Christ by helping and loving those they currently disdain.

I've met many people struggling with self hate, depression, and hopelessness because of people who took it upon themselves to inform others of just how sinful their actions are. And I've found that many of those struggling turn away from God because of those "informative" people. I know that probably was not the informant's purpose, but it is often the result.

And isn't that exactly the opposite of what Christ commanded us to do? He left us with two commandments that summed up His ministry and all of the Old Testament commandments: 
1. Serve and love God above all else. 2. Love others as you love yourself.
I'm not seeing any mention in either these two commandments or in the original ten that mention we are to be another's judge.

Folks, it's not "us" versus "them." It's not sinner versus saint. It's not straight versus gay, black versus white, preacher versus bishop, Baptist versus Catholic or us versus anything. It's God versus Satan. Evil versus good. And God, the ultimate creator and power of all, is the one who will do ALL judging that actually counts. And besides, if we see someone in obvious sin, in love shouldn't we go beside that person and HELP them, and pray for them? Every Christian carries the Holy Spirit within, and we can leave all the convicting to Him. And since we should not expect the unsaved to follow the commandments of a God they do not serve, shouldn't we be an example of God's grace as a saved sinner with an eternal Hope they don't have?

So, take it easy- so to speak. Use the energy you could expend on judging others to glorify God. Tell others of His Grace and Love. Live a life that mirrors Christ's ministry. He knew the sins of all those around him, and yet loved them, and ministered to them without discrimination or disdain. The only time we see Christ speak in a less than forgiving manner was against the hypocritical, religious leaders that took advantage of those seeking to serve God by sacrificing at the temple, and those judgmental  leaders who "praised God" that they were not like the common sinner.

Frankly, I think it's hard enough judging my own motives and service to Christ. I don't have time to worry about what others are doing except to see how I can help them. And I don't have time to judge them. I'll just leave that job up to the only Being in existence that can justly, and righteously judge us all.

Here I am, grateful to God for His Love and Grace, and "taking it easy."

Teapotjan