Today's Devotional

June 13, 2005

Subject:  I'm Not The Judge

John 12:47 - 48 "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

It finds it way into every great social debate of our day.  It's the "other" J word.  Not Jesus, but judgment or judging.  I remember working in a previous office and entering a discussion about homosexuality.  I expounded upon my belief in Romans 1 when it addresses homosexuality as a "vile affection."  The immediate response from a co-worker was, "see you're judging people."  I didn't use the passage above to respond, but I should have.  

See the truth of the matter is that we are not judges, however, if you live by the standard of God's word and express that to others, those who reject God's truth soon realize that they are being judged.  It's not by us though, it's by God's word.  That's exactly what Jesus was saying.  The other thing He points out in the passage is that not only are those who reject God's truth "being" judged daily as they live their lives, but they will also "be" judged by the same standard in the "last day."

Today if you get the "other" J word thrown at you, let it be because you believe in the unchanging word of God.  Remember, you're not the judge, but remember they will be judged.  I think they need to know that.

Carlen