Drawing Us Closer

 

1Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2You say, ‘We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.’ 3Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:1-4

REFLECTION:

This is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. For the record, I am aware that I say this a lot, like I say a certain hymn is one of my favorites. I guess that simply tells you that I love singing, and I love reading the Bible.

This passage, though, is stunning in what it says, if we would only take it to heart. Right after listing all the things that justly deserve punishment (fornication, gossip, envy, slander, etc.), this is Paul’s next thought. Essentially, don’t try to be the judge. Just as you would never enter a courtroom, march to the front, and steal the judge’s gavel so YOU could be judge for the day, don’t presume to usurp God’s role here. The point is simple; God’s the judge, and you aren’t (because in one way or another, you are doing the same things you want to judge in others).

But it’s verse 4 that is truly beautiful. If someone is worthy of judgment in your eyes, and is not “getting what they deserve” from God, that’s when you think it’s your job to step in and judge them on God’s behalf. To this, Paul says, “do you despise God’s kindness and patience toward them? Don’t you realize that it is God’s forgiveness, and not your judgment, that will lead those people to change?”

Today, let us not forget that our human attempts to judge others only drive them further from God. Leave it up to the one who knows what he’s doing – his forgiveness will draw them closer.

PRAYER:

God of grace, freely offered; free us from the need to judge others, for it only drives them away from you. Help us to trust that you judge perfectly, even when your free grace seems unfair.