Dear Family and Friends,

We had a fun Super Bowl Sunday, enjoying the Game with our family and friends. This Game was better than most. Unlike many Super Bowls of the past, this year’s game was competitive and filled with great plays and reasons to cheer. There was, however, one play (and player) that gave us reason to scream and yell – for justice.

Seconds after the half time ended, while we were still settling back into our spots, the Bengals’ quarterback heaved a pass that resulted in a 75 yard touchdown. We were in shock. Then a few minutes later, the replays revealed that the receiver had yanked the face mask of the defender to get free. Grrr.

We had another ‘special moment’ the very next day as we sat in traffic due to a lane closure. Have you ever watched someone nonchalantly drive past you and everyone else in line and cut in just as the light changed? Double grrr.

Does it bother you when people do things you know is just not right?

We all do. And when it’s bad enough we call for justice. Using a Biblical term – we judge them.

Whether we realize it or not, we judge others all the time. I would say most take the form of negative thoughts – so small, quick and natural and as a result, hardly noticeable.

Other times, a person’s deeds can trigger responses in us ranging from a mumbling grumble to calling them descriptive names.

And let’s not forget the extreme cases when we write them off, serving as judge and jury and throwing them into jail with the rest of the incorrigibles. 

Did you know that Christians are universally criticized for being judgmental by non-believers? And for being hypocrites because even non-believers know Jesus taught to not judge others. Many can even recite the beginning of this verse.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:1-2‬ ESV

Today, let’s explore why judging others is so challenging for many of us. We all know not to judge but we do it anyway.

In light of that, we will also explore what we, as followers of Christ, can do to better ourselves.

The challenge begins with this sense of right from wrong, of fairness and justice, that we all have in us. When our God of Justice made us in His image (Genesis 1:27), His nature became ours as well. “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:8 ESV

Yes, God is just and we are too.‬

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not sharing this to make excuses for our judgmental behavior. I’m sharing this to show us all of what God sees. He sees right from wrong – just as we do.

But while we tend to focus on the wrongs of others, God is looking at the whole picture – which by the way has us standing right alongside those we judge.

One of life’s struggles is to see ourselves as we really are. At times, we inwardly struggle with how we see ourselves, our self-image, which causes us to look for the faults in others. At other times, our self-blindness elevates our self-image, leading us to project ourselves above others.

Either way, the first thing that stands in the way of curing ourselves of our judgmental ways is actually ourselves. The problem is not the football player or the driver or anyone else that irks us – it’s us.

So, how do we release ourselves from ourselves?

It starts by seeing ourselves as we really are. And acknowledging in our hearts that we are indeed no better than those whom we judge.

It continues with acknowledging that even if we only have one sin, we are no ‘better’ than others with many sins. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” James‬ ‭2:10‬ ESV

It’s about acknowledging this simple truth: the moment we judge, we become no better than the one we judge.

And finally, we need to acknowledge that we not only once needed Jesus, we need Jesus always, every hour of every day. 

Thomas Merton once wrote, “We cannot find Him unless we know we need Him. We forget this need when we take a self-sufficient pleasure in our own good works. The poor and helpless are the first to find Him, Who came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

We all know that our God is a God of Grace. That God has a gracious nature that causes Him to look beyond our sins and care first for our wellbeing. 

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6 NIV

Our God is merciful and shows favor.

But sometimes we forget, don’t we? It’s easy to slip into every day life and forget what God has done for us. We forget how merciful and gracious He has been to us. We forget that all whom we are is only because of His mercy and grace.

Perhaps the opening lyrics to this amazing song will help to remind us of God’s amazing grace.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
–John Newton, 1725-1807

Allow me to close with this thought. I mentioned earlier that God’s nature, a nature of justice, is in us.

That said, I believe God’s nature of grace and mercy is in us as well. We, who are made in His image, have it in us to be just as compassionate and gracious as God is.

In love always,