Mamadonttakenomess
New Member
I think we all are capable of being judgmental. So many times, there are few activities in life that rival the thrill of passing judgment on another human being.
There are a number of specific issues that Jesus brought to the Pharisees attention where they had fallen short of God and brought reproach upon the name of the Lord.
They were very judgmental of other people, looking down their noses at others who they considered "sinners."
One of the real problems that we Christians face is that the people we are trying to win to Christ look to us as examples of Christ and if we are displaying behavior that does not reflect the fruits of the spirit, it brings shame on Christianity and on the name of The Lord.
Example: Luke 18:9-14
Isn't it interesting that this Pharisee is looking down on this tax collector and condemning him? As a "spiritual leader," you would think he would be trying to help him and love him. Instead he stands and condemns him.
When you examine the life of Jesus, one of the things you can't miss is the fact that He just loved people where they were (whether they were demonically possessed, crippled, confused, blinded, violent, etc).
Christ taught Israel to love people, just as He loved people. (Luke 6:35-37)
And no, I'm not saying love sin. Not at all. But, I truly believe that a loving attitude will win a person over to Christ as opposed to an attitude void of love any day.
" If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
There are a number of specific issues that Jesus brought to the Pharisees attention where they had fallen short of God and brought reproach upon the name of the Lord.
They were very judgmental of other people, looking down their noses at others who they considered "sinners."
One of the real problems that we Christians face is that the people we are trying to win to Christ look to us as examples of Christ and if we are displaying behavior that does not reflect the fruits of the spirit, it brings shame on Christianity and on the name of The Lord.
Example: Luke 18:9-14
Isn't it interesting that this Pharisee is looking down on this tax collector and condemning him? As a "spiritual leader," you would think he would be trying to help him and love him. Instead he stands and condemns him.
When you examine the life of Jesus, one of the things you can't miss is the fact that He just loved people where they were (whether they were demonically possessed, crippled, confused, blinded, violent, etc).
Christ taught Israel to love people, just as He loved people. (Luke 6:35-37)
And no, I'm not saying love sin. Not at all. But, I truly believe that a loving attitude will win a person over to Christ as opposed to an attitude void of love any day.
" If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."