Tag Archives: Judging

Knowing What Matters

Living in the Spirit
August 10, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:5-15

because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ –Romans 10:9-13

When I was a child, we had a massive blow up at my little hometown church over whether the new chairs at the communion table should be upholstered or not. Christians get all bent out of shape over many things about which Jesus never even spoke. I cannot help but think that if Jesus thought something was important, he shared it.  Paul tells us in our scripture today accepting Jesus as Lord of our lives is what matters. Such acceptance is not just an intellectual act; it is a life transforming process that helps us get our priorities straight and gain productive focus for our lives. Jesus got impatient with religious leaders who argued over what Jesus probably considered trivia.

He did advise us that his way is not burdensome as some like to make it. Matthew 11:28-30, Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ He also told us not to worry about judging other people; he would take care of that. John 5:22, The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son.

We need to hear carefully and understand Paul’s words, the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. All to Jesus meant everyone. He seemed to have a special place in his heart for those we denigrate. There is a lesson in his role modeling.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we see others through the eyes of the world and fail to see your image in each of them. Help us lighten burdens, not heap on more. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Persistent Empathy

persistenceLiving in the Spirit
October 13, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. –2 Timothy 4: 1-2

I struggle with the title teacher. Jesus was a teacher whose lessons changed my life and the lives of all whose paths he crosses. In describing myself, I prefer to use the word facilitator. Now I enjoy good discourse as much as anyone and like to dig into materials to see what I can find. My gleanings are always enriched by what my fellow seekers see that I do not. No two people experience life the same.

We do tend to group together by common experiences, I as a white woman can empathize with other women, some but not totally. I can never fully understand the realities of being a person of color. I served in the workforce for over 50 years. Gender notwithstanding, I know the realities of holding down a job and supporting myself, but my work experience does not match exactly the work experience of men or those in other professions. I wonder if God appointed Christ Jesus as the ultimate judge because none of us has the perfect knowledge of another like he does.

I am not sure I agree with the advice in our scripture today to be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. When stranded with a flat tire a long way from anywhere, I would not take too kindly to someone sharing their love of God for several minutes and then leaving me with my flat tire so they can go and be persistent with someone else. I do agree with practicing patience which probably does include picking one’s moments to address some issues.

Perhaps I do not understand the author’s use of the word persistent. Maybe the writer is trying to say love others enough to let them know how much God loves them no matter what. If that is the persistence described, I get the need for it.

Prayer: God grant us the gift of persistent empathy so that we can share your love without bounds. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Nobody Wins

God's planEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 12, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  — 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

 How did we get to the place where each group of Christ’s followers all think we have the inside scoop on God and we all disagree? While Kris Kristofferson’s words refer to a personal relationship, I think they apply here to the proclaimed members of the Body of Christ in the world today:

Anymore it doesn’t matter
 Who’s right or wrong
 We’ve been injuring each other
 For much too long

And it’s too late to try to save
 What might have been
 It’s over, nobody wins*

While I agree with the final diagnosis that nobody wins, I am not ready to give up, are you?

First, I think we need to consider that within the Body of Christ we are all winners. There is no competition when we are all loved by the very Source of life itself. Second, we need to recognize that none of us have been assigned the task of judging who is or is not “fit” for the Kingdom of God. Jesus sent us forth into the world to all people and Jesus Christ is the only one with the power to judge people. He has the capacity to look far deeper into our hearts and minds than any of us do. He even talked to church leaders about judging by outward appearances: You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. (Matthew 23:26)

I think we need to invest a lot more energy in finding what makes us one and a lot less energy in practicing what divides us.

Prayer: Lord help us rest so completely in your love that we are enabled only to love our fellow brothers and sisters around the world for whom your love is complete. Amen.

*Taken from Kris Kristofferson, Nobody Wins see full song lyrics at http://www.metrolyrics.com/nobody-wins-lyrics-kris-kristofferson.html
 All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved

Equity

EquityLiving in the Spirit
Light a Candle for Children
October 15, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 99

 Mighty King, lover of justice,
   you have established equity;
you have executed justice
   and righteousness in Jacob.
Extol the Lord our God;
   worship at his footstool.
   Holy is he! — Psalm 99:4-5

I discovered the equity of God’s judgment while reading another Psalm (75:2) several years ago and it was one of those “ah ha!” experiences. I did not realize until then that the foundation of our juris prudence system was drawn from this ancient source. This is the bases of the ruling that slavery was not just in the USA although there were many states that had laws that said it was illegal. The same is true for allowing women to vote, interracial marriage, and more recently same-sex marriage. These rulings did not say the states did not have the right to pass rules about commerce or voting or marriage. The rulings said that a higher law overrode those other laws. We cannot use law at any level that’s only specific purpose is to discriminate against a minority of people.

Merriam Webster defines equity thusly:

1a : a free and reasonable conformity to accepted standards of natural right, law, and justice without prejudice, favoritism, or fraud and without rigor entailing undue hardship :  justice according to natural law or right :  fairness

2a : a system of law (as in England and the U.S.) originating in the English chancery and comprising a settled and formal body of legal and procedural rules and doctrines that supplement, aid, or override common and statute law and are designed to protect rights and enforce duties fixed by substantive law

We should take great comfort in our scripture today because it is saying that God will judge each of us from this higher plain. It is a law that we need to apply generously to our children and not set them up for failure by branding them as anything other than the child of God that they are.

 Oklahoma Fact: 19% of all children have one or more emotional, behavioral, or developmental conditions*

 Prayer: Holy One, as we exercise judgment regarding our fellow human beings help us to see them through your eyes and to judge them with equity. Amen.

*http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/6031-children-who-have-one-or-more-emotional-behavioral-or-developmental-conditions?loc=38&loct=2#detailed/2/38/false/1021,18/any/12694,12695

 All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.