Everyone is stretched but not necessarily in the same way. It is very easy to look at someone else who is stretched and judge their reaction to the forces being placed on them. However, be very careful because there is a huge difference between judging and judgment.
John 5:21-22 – 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, (NIV)
God’s Word tells us the Father chooses not to judge but has entrusted judgment to the Son. Jesus chose to use judgment over judging. If he had just looked at how we reacted to our circumstances he would have judged us, but he didn’t. Jesus chose to experience our circumstances and use judgment of the way we reacted the way we did.
His judgment of our situation led Him to pay for our debt. Too many so called “Christians” don’t use judgment, but are primed and ready to judge. They speak about others without even considering the pressure or circumstances motivating the course of someone’s action. They simply judge. Be very careful because Jesus made it clear that your choice to judge or use judgment would come back to bless or curse you.
Matthew 7:1-2 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (NIV)
Matthew 7:12 sums up the true response Christians should have whether it be reacting to being stretched or witnessing someone else being stretched: 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
John 5:21-22 – 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, (NIV)
God’s Word tells us the Father chooses not to judge but has entrusted judgment to the Son. Jesus chose to use judgment over judging. If he had just looked at how we reacted to our circumstances he would have judged us, but he didn’t. Jesus chose to experience our circumstances and use judgment of the way we reacted the way we did.
His judgment of our situation led Him to pay for our debt. Too many so called “Christians” don’t use judgment, but are primed and ready to judge. They speak about others without even considering the pressure or circumstances motivating the course of someone’s action. They simply judge. Be very careful because Jesus made it clear that your choice to judge or use judgment would come back to bless or curse you.
Matthew 7:1-2 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (NIV)
Matthew 7:12 sums up the true response Christians should have whether it be reacting to being stretched or witnessing someone else being stretched: 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Stretching with you – Pastor Mike