If anyone hears My teachings and fails to observe them [does not keep them but disregards them], it is not I who judges him. For I have not come to judge and condemn and pass sentence and inflict penalty on the world, but to save the world. John 12:47 AMPC
A Life of Forgiveness, Not Judging
Have you ever noticed how the horrible sins are always those that other people have?
Have you found yourself judging others by their actions while judging yourself based on your good intentions?
Here’s something I’ve often observed: someone who doesn’t drink alcohol is gossiping about the awfulness of someone who’s struggling with alcoholism, trying to be rid of this demon they wrestle with.
Have you noticed that church people don’t gossip; they “share.”
We seem to have a deep propensity to focus on others as a way to achieve a sense of being just a little taller.
The profound truth is that we all fall short of the glory of God. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
Jesus Christ didn’t come to make us better people; He came to redeem us from our sins and give us His life to be lived through us.
When He died on the cross, He took all our past, current, and future sins upon Himself.
So— “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your eye?” (Luke 6:41).
We’re forgiven and live a life of forgiveness to be poured out on everyone we meet, regardless of the sins they commit against us.
"We can’t allow the sins against us to produce sin within us." Dan Mohler
Jesus is more than the great equalizer of men; He is a Redeemer who sets us right before our just God.
We no longer have to measure up to anyone, nor does anyone need to measure up to us.
We’re free to live a life of non-comparison.
So as we have been forgiven, we forgive—and we can throw the unbalance of our judgment in the sea of His forgiveness.
Have you received the forgiveness of Jesus Christ?
Then give it freely.
Lord, bring Your light to show us our ways and give us Your power to forgive as You have forgiven us. Amen