Jesus Set The Bar

by Darla Noble

Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.

Luke 6:37

While it is true we are not supposed to judge others, we have a responsibility to share the Gospel with the hope that those who hear will repent of their sins and give their life to Christ. But where is the line drawn to separate the two?

Judging or condemning is finger-pointing and accusations without offering hope and encouragement that comes with change (repentance). Sharing the Gospel is presenting God’s voice on any given subject or behavior along with the hope that comes from repentance, accepting the gift of salvation, and living a life of faith.

Jesus never missed an opportunity to tell people to “…go and sin no more”, but in the very same breath he offered salvation and hope in return for obedience and faith. He still does. For you and for me. And he wants us to share that message with others—not by dwelling on what they are doing outside of Christ, but by focusing on the amazing life we can have when we become one with Christ.

Pray: God, please give me a heart that looks at others the way You do—as one who is loveable and whose sins are covered by the cross just like mine are. Give me the wisdom to not judge, but to present the Word and set an example of one who lives the way You call us to live. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.