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Friday... Isn't it what we are supposed to do or not?


Romans 2:3 (NLT), "Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things?"

Friday... Isn't it what we are supposed to do or not?

Now we may think that we have a right to judge others. But in reality, we can be wrong. Now I know that it is so easy to have such a high opinion of ourselves and our actions, but we need to be really careful here.


Paul in his letter to the Romans in 2:3 (NLT) writes something that should get our attention. He says, "Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things?" Yes, it is so easy to see the imperfections of them and not see us but God does?

Now verse 4 is so important for us to see. It says, "Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?"

As I was driving here this morning to Aspire, the coffee shop where I do my writing, I was hit with the fact that I may have too high an opinion of myself and I could be very hard to live with and then I came here and read verses 3 and 4 in five different translations. I knew I needed them.

I just quoted verse 3 in the New Living Translation. The MSG which is a paraphrase said verse 3 this way, "So when you, O man, pass judgement on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgement?" The Amplified Bible says, "But do you think this, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things, and yet do the same yourself that you will escape God's judgment and His verdict?" We know the answer if we are really honest, don't we?

Now verse 4 in the Amplified Bible Translation says verse 4 this way, "Or do you have no regard for the wealth of kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking - seek His purpose for your life]?" That is a tremendous verse that encourages us to live and act like God. Do we have no regard for the wealth of kindness and tolerance and patience that God has in withholding His wrath to us?

The judgement part in how we live turns others off to having a relationship with God. God is the judge but it goes through His kindness and tolerance and patience.

David writes in Psalms 17:3 (NLT), "You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say." Fantastic. And then verses 6-7, "I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies."

Let's be living examples of God's unfailing love and kindness and tolerance and patience and let Him handle the judging. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning


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