And the Winner Is…
I’m rather anti judging. I may have mentioned this before…
But I don’t like one person being pitched against another and a decision being made as to who is best. Apart from anything else, we never know what conditions each is travailing under – what resources they have, what difficulties are holding them back, or the different situations each is in. Judging is rarely assessing like for like.
In real life, sadly it is so easy to make passing judgements. “Look at them, doing that”, “Fancy behaving that way”, “Oh really”…
Sadly another occasion for, “Do as I say, not as I do”, for I stand guilty as charged of passing judgement on others 😦
God’s judgement however comes from a place of knowledge, both of knowing the whole picture and being the only one who is any place to judge because actually he is perfect, he knows the standard and Jesus lived it to show us.
Malachi 4:1-2 (CEV)
The Day of Judgment
The Lord said:
4 The day of judgment is certain to come. And it will be like a red-hot furnace with flames that burn up proud and sinful people, as though they were straw. Not a branch or a root will be left. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken! 2 But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play.
In the weeks running up to Advent and Christmas, the focus turns very much to Judgement. As we recall and re-enact the Coming of God into the world in Jesus, our minds go to the time he will come again, and what that will mean for the world and his people.
I guess the point is, for us to consider, prayerfully and honestly before God, where we are, who we are, which kind of person we are. As we prepare to welcome The King into the world, are we people who are worthy? Are we proud and sinful (or as the NIV has it, arrogant and evildoers), or do we honour God’s name – in our lives day by day, not just in words? And what are we going to do about it? Because as Malachi points out, the answer matters.
I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather bask in the suns rays and play like a calf in a field than be subjected to the fiery furnace.
But does my life say that? Do I live like I would rather be victorious in life? Do I live in honour of God and people, or proud and arrogant?
Hmmmm. Perhaps I’d better have that honest think and pray with God.
Lord,
the reality is
so often
that my life is not
what it should be;
not beautiful,
but ugly;
not honouring of you
and those I connect with day by day,
but proud and arrogant
and yes judgemental.
Lord,
I want to talk with you,
seriously,
honestly,
about your coming again –
and about the here and now,
not from fear,
but from wanting what you want,
wanting to live your ways,
wanting to honour you.
Touch my life Lord,
heal my attitudes,
mend my ways
I pray.
Nor for a happy ever after,
but for a happy
honourable
now
Pam's Perambulation 