For You From The Word
Do not judge , or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)
For You To Think About
A true story
Chaunie was stopped in the express grocery lane. The cashier stared pointedly at her protruding belly and young children. Then two – not just one – cashiers accused her of trying to purchase the wrong type of cereal with her WIC benefits.
Meanwhile behind her, a line of impatient customers overheard the entire humiliating exchange.
Two Different Mistakes
What was Chaunie’s mistake? Placing the wrong type of cereal in her shopping cart. But the cashiers also made a mistake: judging Chaunie for being a young, poor, pregnant mother.
God doesn’t evaluate our sins on a sliding scale, attaching more condemnation to an unplanned pregnancy than He does to a judgmental attitude. It was humankind that created the “my-sin-isn’t-as-bad-as-yours” continuum.
We’re all deserving of God’s condemnation. But thanks be to God! He does not condemn us in an out-of-wedlock pregnancy … or in the sin of a judgmental attitude.
For You To Pray
Loving Father,
Convict me when I evaluate others on a sliding scale of sin. Lead me instead to repent of my sin. Give me a heart of compassion for those who face an unplanned pregnancy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen