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The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the result in our character and attitude when God works in us. We will NOT be judgmental, rather we will learn to be naturally loving. That is the only way. Jesus is the way.

The psalmist puts it aptly when he says “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) The Spirit of God will use the word to shape our thoughts, reinstate His standards for ours, places His expectations as ours, so that in our view of others and ourselves, we will always please Him.

BE LIKE JESUS

When we see others, we will not be doubting nor suspicious. We will not jump to conclusions that they must be this or that. We will look at them as how Jesus would look at them – with compassion, mercy and love. Jesus had compassion with the multitude (Mark 6:34, 8:2) when He saw them. Jesus was not judgmental. He saw people with their need, He saw people beneath the surface, He saw people needing love, needing God. And He reached out to meet them.

We must be that channel for Jesus for the people around us. It is not a matter of trying not to be judgmental. It is an issue of allowing God to change us and not judging is proof that He is at work inside of us. When we start to love others as Jesus loves, then it is proof that God is working inside of us. That is the attitude and character of Jesus in us, the fruit of our belief in Jesus.

ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE US

Think about this. Belief in Jesus Christ is not lip service. It is not a mere desire to be better. It is our commitment in life to Him and to allow God to transform us by His Spirit. When we stop judging people and see them with compassion, mercy and love, then the sweet smelling nature of Jesus will permeate the lives of people around us showing them that God is truly loving, kind and merciful. We are not nice to people just because we want to. We should be nice to people because we are basically a transformed nature by God.

Judge not that you be not judged shows us how to live peaceably amongst man. When we naturally do not judge, we make the world a better place. When we naturally love one another as Jesus loves, we make the world a better place. We will show God to others and they will know God through us.

Peace in this world today is false, it is managed through truces, it is fragile, it is brief, because sinful man only thinks of himself. The selfish nature does not begat peace. Only the selfless nature of God in us will bring lasting peace. Jesus is that peace.

FORGET OURSELVES

So, friends, let us forget ourselves, our pride, our ego, our face and turn our eyes upon Jesus. Let Him change us so that the transformation of the Spirit on our attitude and character will reflect what God wants of us, to bring peace to mankind. That we will not doubt others nor be suspicious, but love selflessly, as Jesus loved us.

Let us reflect on ourselves as to how we have behaved toward others. Ask God to forgive us and ask Him to continue His work of the Spirit in us, to transform us and bring out the fruit of the Spirit in us. Let us be the channel of blessing to others by naturally not judging others but loving instead.

May God continue to help us.