Don’t Judge Me!

Read Galatians 6:1-5  

“Don’t judge me!” It’s a phrase often uttered in jest between friends over awkward dance moves or strange food combinations. It’s often yelled in defense of oneself when differing perspectives stand in the way of reconciliation. 

Regardless of the context, this word carries some pretty hefty connotations. It conjures images of people being shunned from their communities and courtrooms filled with jurors and judges waiting to dole out verdicts. When we pick apart the idea of judgment it always points back to broken relationships in one form or another. 

If a fellow believer you know does something wrong, its not a great idea to immediately ram down their throat to correct them. I think we often forget that while the Holy Spirit is working in our personal lives the Spirit is also working in the lives of other believers. We need to trust the Holy Spirit’s work and not try to do it ourselves. We all make wrong choices from time to time and if we are walking in the Spirit we will note our own wrongs without someone else pointing them out.

However, there are some times when those in our community fall into sinful, unhealthy patterns or make poor choices that severely impact others. At these times it is appropriate for someone in a good standing relationship with God and that person (not the random church lady who heard about it from Jan, who heard it from Kyle) to come alongside them and gently walk the road of restoration with them. Paul says to carry each other’s burdens; this becomes a communal effort between the fallen believer, their friend, and the Holy Spirit. An act of love and humility to see a sibling in Christ restored rather than an act of pride and self-righteousness which will ultimately tear others down. 

Paul addresses those who “think they are important when they aren’t.” When we worry about how others are contributing or detracting to the work of the Kingdom rather than focus on our own calling, it’s like trying to micromanage the Holy Spirit. I believe this is what Paul meant when he said to carry our own loads. Our relationships with fellow believers and with God work better when we keep in step with the Spirit personally so that we have the ability to pour ourselves out into the lives of others.

FOR REFLECTION:

• What would make you more attractive to others as a person who can walk alongside them in restoration and reconciliation? Who would you turn to when you find an area in your life God needs to restore? 

by Sarah Fridenmaker