Judgment, Forgiveness and Pure Holiness

Judgment, Forgiveness, and Pure Holiness…

The temptation to judge others often stems from a desire for self-affirmation. By identifying what we perceive as wrong in others, we might subconsciously try to elevate our own sense of righteousness.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Luke 6:37

However, this external focus distracts us from the internal work of self-reflection and growth that is essential for genuine spiritual progress.
Furthermore, judgment often lacks the full picture.

We rarely know the complete circumstances, struggles, and motivations behind another person’s actions. To reduce someone to a label like “dishonest” or “materialistic” is to oversimplify their complex humanity and disregard the potential for growth and change within them.

The passage wisely points out that when we judge someone for a specific failing, we often embody that very failing ourselves. Judging someone for being unloving makes us unloving in that moment. Holding onto bitterness hardens our own hearts. Pride in our perceived holiness blinds us to our own imperfections.

True holiness, therefore, is not about comparison but about cultivating a heart that reflects God’s own attributes: love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. It’s about focusing on our own journey of becoming more Christ-like, rather than scrutinizing the journeys of others.

The act of “keeping no record of sin” suggests a profound level of grace and a willingness to see others (and ourselves) through the lens of God’s boundless love.

Heavenly Father, we come before you humbled by the awareness of our own imperfections and the ease with which we can fall into the trap of judgment. Forgive us for the times we have looked at others with critical eyes, forgetting the log in our own. Help us to cultivate hearts of compassion and understanding, recognizing the inherent worth and struggles of every soul. Grant us the wisdom to focus on our own spiritual growth, striving for purity and blamelessness through your grace. May we be quick to forgive and slow to condemn, reflecting your boundless love and mercy in all our interactions. Teach us to walk humbly in your presence, seeking not to judge but to love as you have loved us. Amen.

The greatest fault is to be conscious of none. This serves as a powerful reminder that self-awareness and a recognition of our own potential for failing are crucial in avoiding the pitfalls of judgmentalism.

When we believe ourselves to be without fault, we become blind to our own shortcomings and more likely to judge others harshly.

True holiness is not about pointing fingers but about extending a hand, reflecting the grace and mercy that God so freely offers to us all.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼