“When you, a mere human being, pass judgment on someone else (and yet do the same things), do you think you’ll escape God’s judgment? Are you showing contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Rom. 2:3–4
Dear Jesus, this passage exposes my self-righteousness and underscores how much I need the Gospel every day. The call to love others (all others) as you love me keeps driving me to you for fresh mercy, grace, and power.
I’m a selective lover, Jesus. I’m not an equal opportunity dispenser of your compassion and kindness. It’s not hard for me to shower “the riches of your kindness, tolerance, and patience” on people of my “tribe” and those who struggle and sin like me. But I can react with anger, disgust, and arrogance towards people whose world-view, brokenness, sin, and politics differ from mine.
Jesus, forgive me. You haven’t made me the judge and jury of anyone. May your kindness lead me to repent quicker and deeper. Help me really believe the log in my eye will always be a bigger issue than the speck in anybody else’s eye. It’s not about giving everyone a “pass”; it’s all about extending your grace. There will always be a redemptive way for us to deal with each other’s “stuff.”
You took my judgment on the cross, gave me your righteousness, and now you love me with the fullness of compassion, acceptance, and delight. The greatest non sequitur (contradiction) in life is for me to “cop an attitude,” resent, and stay smug towards anyone. How dare I do so, Jesus? So Very Amen.