message5c

This is perhaps the most crucial point in your life. The change from the old to the new. Without a life lived as crucified with Christ, we can never leave this judgemental spirit. That old nature will always rear its head. We must "put off... the old man.... and put on the new man..." (Eph 4:22-24). We must constantly be on guard not to let the old man show up but only by the strength of God and by putting on the new man. If you put off the old and stop there, it will come back. The old man must be replaced by the new man, the new creation that God made. Only then can we display the nature of God, the fruit of the Spirit.

What can we do then? We must constantly be aware that we must put on the new man. We must believe in Jesus Christ. We must want to stop being judgemental. When you start doing that, you will see that the people around you will warm up to you. They will start to like you, even love you because you do not judge. You will reflect the nature of Jesus, compassionate and loving, not judgemental. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn (judge) the world but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)

What can we do then? Let us judge less but speak of salvation more. Are we condemning more than we are speaking God's gospel? Are we judging more than we are speaking words of love and grace? God wants to save the world. So let us allow Him to use us to doing so and obey the great commission. If we are judgemental, nobody will listen to us. Then how is the world, your friends and family, going to hear the gospel when they will not listen to you?

Pray that God will constantly grant you strength to keep the new man in place and show God's loving kindness, grace and compassion through your new nature, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit over the course of your life, that man may know the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

NOW HOW

It is easy to read about what to do and I trust that you know the what of not being judgemental means. There must be a practical way of putting all that we learn about how not to be judgemental into our daily lives. Do we force ourselves? Do we discipline daily? Should we fast and pray? What should we do then?

I have learnt that not being judgemental has to do with our attitude to life. The entire value system that we have tends to judge others based on what we have learnt and assimilated over the years of education, family upbringing, religious teachings, etc. but we have always seen the world through our own eyes, not matter how good that may be. Our judgemental spirit will always bring about our downfall.

You should notice how God looks at the world. God sees us "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). He cannot find anyone of us who does good (Psalm 14:3). If God is judgemental, we will not be here. But God looks at us, regardless of our sin, by loving us. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). God looks at us with LOVE.

You should also notice how Jesus looks at the world. Read Matthew 9:35-38. When Jesus saw the multitude, "He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (v36) Jesus did not get stressed up and condemn them. Jesus was not angry at their attitude. Jesus was moved with compassion. Jesus had LOVE.

Continued ...