“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 back to you.” Luke 6:37-38
My words…
Praise
Another fine lesson, Master Teacher. You often teach me lessons based on my life in relation to the other guy: my neighbor, my enemy, those in need, those misguided, those I pass on the street. They are lessons learned from your time wearing human skin. You know what it’s like to be misunderstood, falsely accused, ignored, ridiculed, and loathed. How close did you come to taking Satan up on his offer to chuck it all in? How hard did you bite your tongue when the apostles took so long to understand your message? Daily, earthly life must have been agonizingly difficult (except when the little children showed up). Yet You didn’t let loose on them. You didn’t pronounce a hell-bound judgment. You didn’t take a holier-than-thou (which You were) attitude and point fingers and sneer. Instead, You stumbled to the cross and gave everything You had to us, using a measure foretold, a measure that swallowed up death.
Prayer for me
I am guessing that the people I interact with daily would not label me a judge or a condemner. That’s because I keep it to myself when it happens. And it still happens. With the guidance and patience of your Spirit, I have grown in imitating Your example of loving instead of condemning. I pray You will continue to grow me.
Forgive me
The measure I use to forgive (how many times for this one person?) and give (is it tax deductible?) is shameful; it’s a fluctuating scale depending on my mood and state of hunger. Forgive me when I mete out compassion and forgiveness. It’s a trait I learned from the Enemy.
Prayer for others
If I have judged or condemned anyone, I pray you will send them to me so I may ask for their forgiveness. We are all flawed and sinful, and the responsibility of judging belongs to the One who paid the price to do so: You. Not me.
Thank You
Thank You, Lord, for molding me, instructing me, putting up with me when I disappoint. You are the Constant in my inconsistent world.
More praise
Following Your teaching is always a profitable decision. I receive more than I give, blessings upon blessings, stacked up around me in piles. Being a daughter of Yours is the most precious blessing of all.
