GodReflection: It’s Jesus Friday

During my early years the trip above all trips was the rarity of fishing and back packing in the Rocky Mountains. Never more than an annual trip it always seems to morph into events to be remembered.

One summer while in college my brother and I squeezed in our pilgrimage as we left after work for an all-night drive to the mountains.

In the pre-dawn hours, about thirty minutes from our destination, I took a nap while behind the wheel. As I awoke with my foot on the locked brakes the car skidded on the gravel road. I almost stopped at the edge. Instead it rolled down the embankment.

We spent most of the next day in the Colorado State Trooper offices waiting for the Judge.

Finally, court was in session. My explanation valued little. She was the Judge. She had the black gown.

The fine was assessed—a fine that was out of proportion to the crime of sleep driving and rolling my car upside on public land. We had no choice but to pay up.

My guess is she exemplified the graceless composure that God does not want me to demonstrate in my dealing with others.

Regrettably, on far too many occasion I too put on a judgement gown. Looking back, I notice it never fit.

I think it must only come in Divine sizes.

After a survey of judgement in Scripture, I can see the Bible is rather specific about who is issued a judgement gown with their job description—it isn’t me.

Here is what I think.

With two exceptions, the Bible speaks only of God and the Son as worthy to judge. Divine Judgement Robes fit them well.

The exception clause is for those of us who belong to the body of Jesus—the church. Paul says that if we are growing in Christ’s likeness we should be wise enough to judge outright wickedness and expel it from among us. And, we ought to have the maturity to judges the trivial cases of disagreement that break the fellowship of the saints.

Other than the exception rule judgement is not fitting for those who attempt to pattern their walk after Jesus. The exception rule does not require a formal judge. It calls for maturity and good sense on the part of believers.

Reflecting the heart of Jesus, Scripture gives specific areas when I need to be especially careful to trust the Father and Son by refraining from judgement.

I have absolutely no right to judge actions, beliefs, or the growth journey of a fellow believer. Like me they are God’s servant not my servant.

I have no right to judge a fellow believer who may miss a command of God for in so doing I’ve just condemned myself because I too mess up in my attempt to live like His Son. Jesus wants me to work toward the salvation of others not toward their condemnation and judgement.

I am to be careful not to condemn one who has an opinion different than mine. We don’t all agree on the same holidays to observe or upon common eating and cultural patterns. It’s out of order to judge one who God accepts.

Here is one that seems especially hard for many believers who are citizen of the USA.

Paul says it in this way: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

Sounds like I am not to throw hate rocks at those outside the church who fail to honor God by lifestyle and belief. I don’t have to agree but I should never show up with protest signs and shouts of anger.

Rather, my obligation remains the same—to love God with my heart and to treat others as Jesus would treat them.

The truth is I stay out of trouble by not being an impostor of the Divine. Anytime I attempt to wear Celestial Judgement Robes I find again they will never fit this Adamic body.

Once again I discover it to be true. Right Jesus makes right doctrine.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Judgement Gowns.

Gary@Godreflection.org     www.MakeYourVisionGoViral.com