Don’t Judge them, Pray for them.
That’s what I heard this morning regarding those who hate the Jews.
The kind of Judgment Jesus was talking about is the kind of judgment,
whether in the back, or front, of your mind where you condemn people to Hell.
This was a little bit of a surprise to me, as it can be when Jesus reveals your heart to you.
He called me out in the most gentle way.
I know better.
I know He is the only One who Judges and who can send people to Hell.
My thoughts were softer than walking about condemning others to Hell.
In the back of my mind, I was thinking, ‘They can’t be saved if they have such hatred for the Jews.’
That is why He did not say, “Don’t condemn them to Hell, but pray for them.”
The Judgment in the heart can be softer or seem somewhat kinder, but the results are the same.
This brought me to tears, not just because He had exposed my heart of lack of love, but also that He
still loves these people who hate what He has made so clear in His word and these people,
particularly the ones who have huge followings or who have their minds made up and consider Jews, God’s people, of the devil.
The love Jesus has for people is far greater that I can understand.
He continues to reach out to them when they are in error. He continues to love them and to try to teach them.
Even if the people who condemn Jews were to be right, they still are called to love their enemies,
so there is no excuse.
Am I excused? Hardly, as I was doing to them what I accuse them of doing to the Jews.
Ugly stuff.
Jesus brought it to light.
Now it can be cleansed.
And maybe I can learn to love those I consider my enemies.
People that I consider enemies of God.
We have no right to examine others’ hearts.
That Judgment is up to God and God alone.
There is no reason to ever condemn someone to Hell.
The other point is that you who Judge, do you not do the same things?
That is what I was doing. Judging them for condemning others while I was condemning them.
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge,
for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:
condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:
forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Luke 6:37
I hate them and they hate me and that ought not to be the case.
Casting stones when I am so perfect?
Where is the grace the Lord has shown me?
Surely, I can find it somewhere in my life, that grace He has given me,
that i am to extend to others since I have many times needed His grace for the many faults I have.
Let me be a good student in this for I still have much to learn.
Thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me into all truth.
And, let me love my fellow humans, even those I consider my enemies, so I may follow Your heart.