Scripture:
[1] Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. [2] We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. [3] Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? [4] Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Observation:
Writing to the Christians in Rome about various sins, the Apostle Paul is reminding them that they too are sinners. They are not called to judge others for their sins. They are told to look inside at their own sin, turn from it in repentance, and leave judgement to God.
Application:
I like this as a reminder that in many ways I’m no different than those I may tend to judge. We all probably have a tendency to cast judgement on others displaying what we feel are obvious sins. Sins outwardly obvious. Yes, we are sinners too but its obvious that our sins aren’t as bad as theirs. Our sins are more acceptable – like pride and jealously. But we also know that is not biblically sound thinking. That sounds like secular thinking creeping into our orthodox biblical teaching. Not only is that thinking not biblical, verses 4 and 5 serve as reminder that if we don’t repent of that improper way of thinking and judgement, thinking that God will have more patience, tolerance, and kindness for us in our sin that to those we judge, then we are storing up terrible wrath from God when he judges us.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for the reminder that I am no less a sinner than those I tend to judge. Lord forgive me for passing judgement on others. I know that’s not my purpose. My purpose is to glorify you and when I judge others I am prideful and listening to the enemy’s lies. Lord help me ignore those lies and to focus on you and building your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.