All judgment calls upon people’s lives are for the Lord and Him alone to make. Sure, we can judge righteously as Jesus said, but this can only be done if the Lord is doing a work in us. Therefore, when we hear about somebody falling into sin, we should not condemn them or say they are going to hell. Instead, we love on them and help them come to Jesus in their confessions. They can find mercy in the Lord and be forgiven. Even if people pass away in death and we later find out certain things they did that were wrong, we are not to pass judgment upon them and say they are now in hell. And here is why. We do not know their personal life with God and if they were really striving to live for Jesus and fight against sin. Therefore, we do not know if what they did was willful or if it was something they struggled with on occasion, but hated themselves when it happened. And what would it be like if we saw your life as an open book, would people think that you lived a life as a saint? I would think not. So how can these same people judge others and say they are in hell now, when their sins could be far worse if they were found out and put in the public’s eye. Now, one thing to know is if Jesus is abiding in us through the Holy Spirit, this is when we do not sin. It is, however, when we forget God that we fall into sin and have to come back to Him in all our confessions. And we do not know if this is what people have done before their last breath. We do not know who is saved and who is not, so keep all judgment calls to God.
To help you understand what I discussed about judgment calls being given to God alone. Let us read from John, chapter 8. It was at this time that Jesus was in the mount of Olives “and the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:3-11) Therefore, don’t throw stones at people in wrongful judgment calls, but lead that person to Jesus. He alone can help a person to stop willfully sinning. He is able to break those chains of darkness and help them not sin in that fashion anymore.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will help each one of us to not pass judgments upon others wrongfully. Help us love people to a point of leading them to You. Then, can You take them in the state they are in and cast out all the darkness. We cannot do this, but trust in You to lead Your elect on the path of righteousness. This cannot happen if people are saying bad things about people or if we are condemning people to hell. I have learned the hard way that this is so wrong and even hurts my walk with You also. So thank You for taking away the judgment from my heart towards others, including people of other religions. What I have realized is that salvation can only come from You, Jesus. And not every person is walking on Your path perfectly, but if they love You with their whole heart, salvation is near to them if not already given. I just trust that people will keep listening to You throughout their lives. Only then can they finally escape any false teachings they are under and also be removed from any bad habits and addictions in their lives. Loving You and others does great things in a person’s life. It changes us on the outside and in. The same way You took a wretch like me and tore out of my wicked heart every false and sinful way, You can do the same for anyone. I was resistant in the beginning, but I am grateful that I did follow through with Your plans and let You do a work in me that I was unable to do on my own. I love You, Jesus. You can move mountains in people’s if they would just listen to You and do as You say. You can also help us not judge others, but lead people to You. This I believe. Amen.
