Guilty!

Matthew 7:1-2 (Amplified Bible) Do not judge and criticize and condemn others ... for just as you judge and criticize and condemn others you WILL be judged and criticized and condemned., and in accordance with the measure you deal out to others it will be dealt out again to you.

Could this be true? If so, God help us all! No wonder the world is so harsh and condemning of the church! We are only getting back what we have dished out! The church has been so judgemental, critical, harsh, and condemnatory toward the world .... ranting and raving about sinful lifestyles and practices. We MUST stop judging. Jesus never gave us this authority or responsibility or even permission to judge, condemn and pass sentence on the world.

In fact, if Jesus were to join a group in 'judging', he would join with the worlds 'judgement' of the church (religious crowd), just like he did in his day!

It is time for us to stop condemning, prosecuting, judging , and passing sentence on the people in the world. We (the church) need to start repenting for ursurping God's job! It's time for us to start focucing on being gracious, and loving and welcoming ... i.e. like Jesus.

By being harshly judgemental, we have handed the world a very big stick with which to beat up on the church. I'd sure rather that the only 'measuring device' the world had to use against the church was one of love and grace and mercy.

What do you think?