If I could only pass on one piece of wisdom to born-again believers, it would be this: Judgment is coming for every living person. For the born-again Christian there is no delay to some far-away place and time. Judgment for the born-again believer is today. Today, if we sin, we will see the hand of God move in our lives to bring a recompense or judgment for that sin. We cannot escape conviction. However, if we are smart enough to repent before recompense happens, it is possible to escape discipline.

When we look upon others critically we are sitting in judgment over them rather than seeing them as God see’s them – with eyes of compassion. God looks upon us and sees our potential and the endless possibilities for our lives. He also sees all of our spots and wrinkles and has compassion on us for our endless struggles.

The closer we draw to Him the more aware we become of our need for a Savior. And our need for a Savior awakens a response within us to recognize the same need in others. Yet to look on someone else’s sin and judge them for it is to reflect not the Savior, but the accuser of the brethren. If we fail to recognize our own sin in judging others then we are destined to be drawn into the same/similar sin ourselves.

Matthew 7:1-5 ¹“Do not judge, or you will be judged. ^For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

³Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

For example, if you are sitting in judgment over another’s sexual sin you may find the Holy Spirit reminding you of your own past sins, even if they were ‘before Jesus’. Or perhaps you will find yourself in a situation that is tempting you almost beyond endurance before the light-bulb kicks on and you realize that you could just as easily fall into adultery as the next person. That’s conviction and when that happens, true repentance follows.

Or do you think you are so righteous, so holy, you couldn’t possibly partake of the same idolatry as others. And yet, there you are, weighing yourself every morning, running to the gym or yoga class, comparing your physique with that of others. Watching how others eat, what they eat, when they eat and nodding in disapproval within yourself while congratulating yourself that your diet is so much healthier. Idolatry. But how can it be? You’re so holy!

Those who don’t know Christ and never accept Him will stand before God one day and answer for every thought, word and deed. That day of judgment will be severe and without compassion.

Those of us who do know Christ and have accepted His free gift stand in judgment every day of our lives before the Living God, as the Holy Spirit convicts of us our sins or, in the case where we are judging without understanding the sin, He draws us into the trial for conviction and repentance.

Christ is coming back for a spotless Bride. In order to be spotless we have to do our very best to live as He did – in passion for God and compassion for others.

My prayer for all of us today is that we will see others as Christ sees them and offer a helping hand and a willing heart rather than condemnation and self-righteousness.

Jude 24-25 ²⁴Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity.