I feel so judged in life. Beautiful thoughts on "judging." I love how Paul writes that he doesn't even judge himself. There's something to that. I think our Christian community digs too deep in a checklist. If you are not doing all these good things, you're in sin. I love this. Let the LORD judge me and show up in His Mercy and even surprise me. If I work so hard at repentance, isn't that arrogance. I end up doing "penance," trying to make it all good. Only God does. When He shows up, it is Beautiful, Wild, and Heartfelt Repentance. Nothing contrived in that place.
I Cor 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Have your way, my God, and disclose the purposes of our hearts. And when we are raw, open, needy, our God moves in. Deep gratitude for Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
I am so not there yet on judgment, Bev--Paul's words feel like freedom to me. It is A VERY SMALL THING to be judged by any human court. Insecurity and critical words abound, but it isn't a human court that we answer to. It is God. But we're not off the hook. In God's Court, we're not acquitted on our own sin but will stand accountable. And what will He judge? The purposes of the heart. Our motives. Our attitudes. Our life perspective--what is the purpose of my heart this day? Do I mean words for good? Do I purpose myself to work that matters for Life?
ReplyDelete(i Cor 4:7 "What do you have that you did not receive?" We are rich in so much. All given by His generous Hand. Giving thanks today for family time and my dog who continues to hang on, but her life has been such a gift to us.
And with all my long-windedness, I need to remember words are cheap. "For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power."