About the only station I can pick up in the ’84 Maxima is talk radio. While many of the views expressed by conservative spokesmen are logical and right, I’ve noticed that good positions don’t always equate with a Christ-like heart. I talked to my students about this tendency toward arrogance, sarcasm, and mercilessness… and then at different times during the week I found myself being arrogant, sarcastic, and merciless.
So this week I’ve been reading Jesus’ familiar warnings about judgment and attitudes. While we are to speak the truth, love must rule our hearts. And we must do more that just “talk the talk”… In the first chapter of Romans, after Paul reveals all types of wickedness that will eventually bring God’s wrath, he gives this stunning warning: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Rom 2:1-4)
One day I’m going to stand next in line to face God, the righteous Judge. As I watch Him execute perfect decisions for every person that has ever lived, this is what I’ll probably think: “He’s treating people like they treated others while they lived on earth! Oh no… Was I kind? Was I merciful? Did I forgive others?”
“Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners’, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:31-38