…The same criteria that you judge another person with, that criteria (measure) will be used to judge you.” 

Jesus said this. It’s often referred to. What does it mean? Does it mean no one can ever tell me I’m doing something wrong? Does it mean no one can judge right from wrong and point it out. And what is judgment? 

It is the idea of making a determination or sorting between things. Determining what is what and categorizing. We obviously are meant to be discerning because Scripture is filled with instruction on how to do. that. There is also judgment in the sense of delivering a punishment or sentence for wrongdoing. We see all through Scripture examples of judgment. God’s judgment. Some wrestle with the idea of Scripture being the “God-breathed,” ultimate authority on truth or not, while simultaneously having a belief in God, in Christ, forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. I submit that the source for any assurance in God, Christ, forgiveness, etc. comes from Scripture. And to just pick and choose the parts of Scripture we want to ascribe belief in, and reject other parts really removes any sure foundation for the things we do believe in. To say that Scripture is true and simultaneously say it’s not, won’t work to provide us security. Jesus referred to HIs words/commands as solid rock to build our lives upon that won’t fall in disaster when the storms (of judgment) come.

Throughout Scripture, God’s story is one of a love story with His people. Choosing them, providing for them, loving on them, referring to them as a bride of a husband. Jesus told of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom where He is the King. He appealed to all people to come into this Kingdom where there would be provided forgiveness from sin, eternal life, peace beyond comprehension, the love our hearts long for, and joy overflowing. All of this despite living in a world where there is much pain and suffering for now. He gives the promise that He will return to make all things right and we will reign with Him forever. This is what He wants for us. But these things can only be found in His Kingdom, where He is the King, and we have submitted our lives under His authority. In HIs unfailing, never-ending love for people, He does not force us to choose to believe, to commit ourselves to Him. In His love for people, we see throughout Scripture that He will discipline and judge in order to cause people to see that they need Him. So they will come to Him and get what they need. Jesus said, ‘I am the only way.” 

In Scripture we see the judgment of God. We see examples of when His people, His bride has gone to others lovers, and goes out from under His authority, protection, provision, that they experience great judgment. We see Him first giving warning after warning, so clearly letting them know ahead of time what the outcome of their sin will be. We see Him in His love, His mercy, His grace putting up painful consequences so they will come back and be able to have what they really need. In one example He uses a great word picture. “You have have committed two evils. 1)You have rejected Me, and unending well of living water. 2) You have dug wells for yourselves that can’t even hold water.” He warns them over and over, there is judgment coming if they don’t come back to Him, the unending source of what they need. So we see God’s judgment. He said, “Those I love, I discipline.” So in God’s own words, we cannot separate HIs love from HIs judgment or discipline. In Scripture, Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he says that the Old Testament examples of judgment are there ‘for our learning.” 

We as people do not know enough to speak to the issues of someone else’s heart. And God alone has the knowledge to do so and the authority to determine the outcome or eternal outcome of someone. We cannot. But all through Scripture we see examples of God using people to speak into other’s lives for their good. For their warning, for their good. Because there is ultimate truth. God’s. And He’s been clear. And it’s all for our good. 

God’s has the capacity for severe judgment for those who repeatedly have ignored HIs warnings. When He returns to overcome evil and make all things right, and establish His forever Kingdom. This forever Kingdom will include all those He worked in their hearts, who placed themselves in HIs Kingdom, and under HIs authority. If He is the only way, as Jesus claimed, then all those who rejected Him have no other eternal destiny than outside the Kingdom. The place created for the devil and his demons. Scripture is clear that God is waiting long and merciful not wanting any to be lost. That He is preserving the Earth and holding back judgment until Jesus’ return. (2 Peter 3) But when He does return, it will be in justice. To judge. To rid the earth of all evil and take all that is wrong and make it right. There will be great judgment. A judgment that for those who are not under His “umbrella’ of authority ought to have great fear. 

In the Bible, James’ letter to Jesus-followers he says, “My brothers and sisters, if someone among you (in the church) wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure whoever brings the sinner back will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

So there is an important place for those who are in Christ to be used of HIs Spirit to help each other out as we pursue to be Jesus-followers together. There is a place where we as those of light in a dark world have been given the ministry of Jesus to be His voice. But we must being very cautious that we represent Him accurately. Careful to be so sensitive to HIs Spirit in us, to do as Jesus did. Submitted to God, HIs way, His heart, His truth, the tone He wants, His humility, and His love. We will be accountable for how we represent Him. 

What about when someone says something to us we don’t want to hear. When we feel ‘judged’….when our pride wants to push back in defense.

Let us consider the judgment of God soberly. I recently read in Jeremiah of God’s repeated warnings and beckons to HIs people to come back to HIs arms of all that they need. To stop rejecting Him the source of living water. But they would not. Even after warning after warning of what it would look like to be without Him. As a result, their enemies came and surrounded them. For a year and a half they held up in a fortress. They starved. And in trying to survive did unspeakable things to each other. 

The love and care of God is great. The absence of God is severe. The judgment of God will be severe. 

It makes me consider the next time God is trying to warn me in HIs love, and the next time I hear words that I want to reject and respond, ‘Don’t judge me.” I want to ask myself, “Would I rather hear some words of correction now, or experience God’s discipline/judgment later?”

Even as I write this, I have experienced an example:)

My battery has been low. I have had numerous pop up warnings that if I don’t plug my computer in, I will not have power. But I’ve kept on and on thinking, ‘O, there’s enough. I’ll make it. I don’t want  to get up and have to plug it in yet.” And it has kept working just find for quite a while, even encouraging me that I can probably just keep pushing it and ignore the warnings. And then ‘suddenly’ the whole thing went blank. There was no getting around it. The battery ran completely out and there was absolutely nothing I could do. 

He is holy. He is just. His love is tender and never-ending. He is merciful and slow to anger. In Him is eternal life. In Him is the peace I need. In Him is the love I need. With Him for me, who can be against me? Nothing can separate me from His love. In Him is the joy that overflows. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Living Water. He is the Healer. He is a Provider. In Him is forgiveness. In Him is power to live as an overcomer of sin. Being in Him means He is always with me. Being in Him means He is IN me. In Him is EVERYTHING.  He is just wanting and waiting for us to put our lives completely in Him.