The Judged Judging the Judge

It’s an oddity, this judging thing. Many people are up in arms about the whole situation and everyone ends up feeling offended, or uneasy about the other individual, whether they are feeling like they are the ones being judged or the one doing this judging.

Every thinking person judges or makes an assessment on everything in the world with an understanding of their worldview being the guide. Christian or not, every decision made is one based with a judgment of some kind. Dictionary.com applies the following definition to the word judgment:
noun

an act or instance of judging.

the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively,  authoritatively,  and  wisely, especially in mattersaffecting action; good sense; discretion: a man ofsound judgment.

the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity:The major was decorated for the  judgment he showed under fire.

the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion, asfrom circumstances presented to  the mind: Our judgment asto the cause of his failure must rest on the evidence.

the opinion formed: He regretted his hasty judgment.

This is what it means to be acting as a judge.

  Form an opinion on someone’s actions and let it be known and you are likely to be called “judgmental.” You will probably then be told that “You shouldn’t judge.” Or in other words it’s wrong to make a judgment of one’s actions or character. If you are dealing with a person who has read the Bible, you may be charged with Jesus’ words from Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”

The point of this statement is to end the discussion, it’s over here.

The problem with all of this is the judged person is also making a judgment, and is now guilty of doing the very thing they tried to renounce.

The rest of Matthew 7 is often forgotten about and not kept in context. Look further and there is a qualification for judgment that Jesus gives, it’s called self assessment and a heart check. The point is to try to make sure that when we judge, because we are going to, we are not being hypocritical, or trying to puff-up our own self, and be “right.” This is the only judgment the Scriptures command us not to make as we are then proud and our heart is more focused on being right rather than church discipline, or being factual, seeking wisdom, or holiness as a testimony to God’s goodness and glory deserved.

The scripture condemns hypocritical judgment but gives freedom to make judicial judgments, and appraisal of wisdom, rationality, and moral assessments based on facts (1 Corinthians 5:1-13)

A brother may say we shouldn’t judge. Why? Any answer he comes up with will be a judgment as well, and will be a judgment. If judging is wrong, then why are they judging you (or me)? “You shouldn’t judge”, is a self refuting statement. So in condemning a judgment they are making a judgment. If we can agree that we all make these assessments and appraisals, then we can have a discussion about the issue and seek wisdom in God’s Word. Keep in mind the goal isn’t to be right, or “more wise”, or smarter than the individual you are speaking with. The goal is Christ glorified!

I don't mind being judged, just let me know you are doing it. I would love to hear your perspective and grow in understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.

Identity In What?

What do you find your identity in? Or, what defines you? Better yet, you would you be if you didn't have money, fame, that great job, the girlfriend or wife, the ability to run, kick, pass, dribble, or music? Who would you be?

That question keeps coming up as I walk through life with a few people who seem to be having a identity crisis. Some of this may seem like little things and I'm making much to do about nothing. I think back on my life as a child when I found my identity in who my parent and grandparents told me I was. A cute boy, who made noises like sirens, horns, and race cars passing by. I had a quick wit so I was also considered to be the class comedian. If I wanted attention in any way shape or form, I'd just do what got me the attention. The attention was partly what defined me.

As I got older it turned to sports, and the girl I was with, but included the things mentioned above. I still valued the things I had been told as a youngster and decided to add compliments to my sport ability, and a trophy at my side. I'd obviously won her heart by doing what I do, and being "me", right?

As an older teen I got into finding the job that paid the most, so I could flash a few bills, and buy a car that was cool so I could impress that girl, and everyone else who looked in my direction. Oh yeah, we're talking 1993 Chevy Cavalier Sedan. I blacked out the windows, put some sound in it, and kept it clean. But I moved on up the chain to a 1994 S10 about a year later. This one got dropped, rims, blackouts, sound, exhaust, bed cover, induction upgrade, stronger manual transmission, and it stayed real clean. Yeah, I think that along with the people it drew attention from defined me. Not to mention the trophy chick.

We all desire status, recognition, praise, dare I say... GLORY!

We all desire this. Why?

Well, I contend that it all goes back to Genesis 1-3. We are created in the image of the Creator, the One worthy of this stat, recognition, praise, and glory. We have the ability to choose if this Creator will define us or if the other things of this world will define us. We choose on a regular basis, given this free will to choose, the shortsightedness of what we can see or think will bring us this glory. This will always end in let down, and disappointment.

I no longer have the cars, money, friends, time, or energy of the things of the past. When most of it came to the end of it's usefulness and either fell apart or floated out of my grasp I found myself depressed and longing for more. Many people at this point would bring up Job from the Old Testament. I would probably actually bring up one of the 12 of Jesus disciples. Pick one. Each had their own story of what they found hope in to bring them a personal status, recognition, praise, or glory. Each one responded differently when it was absent, but they each had this problem. It's a problem that permeates humanity.

Now, how do we fix this?

The answer is always Jesus, but what is the question? The question is, in what do I find my identity in?

The problem lies within the question. The object is not a what because the what will eventually come to an end of it's usefulness and either fall apart, be thrown away, or burned. The object ought to be WHO! In WHOM do I find my identity in?

I grateful that I have experienced the things I have through my life, but I so wish I had not put my hope in the things of this world and the status, recognition, praise, and GLORY it says it brings but can never deliver on.

Could I take a moment and encourage you made it this far in reading my chronicle to take the moments of your day and find your identity in Him as often as you may? For I have found, as many others I know have also, that Jesus is the ONLY one who can offer and fully deliver a complete identity to us on a lifetime basis.