You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else…
for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Rom. 2:1–4 NIV
Heavenly Father, this passage convicts me and underscores how much I need the gospel every day. The call to love others (all others) as Jesus loves me keeps driving me to you for fresh grace and power.
I’m a selective lover, Father. I’m not an equal opportunity dispenser of your compassion and kindness. It’s not difficult for me to shower “the riches of your kindness, tolerance, and patience” on people of my “tribe,” and those whose sins and struggles are like mine. But I can be easily judgmental towards people whose world-view, brokenness, and temptations are different than mine. But you certainly haven’t appointed me to be judge and jury of anyone.
May your kindness lead me to repent quicker and deeper, Father. Help me grieve my self-righteousness just as much as I’m offended by anybody else’s “unrighteousness”; my prayerlessness as much as anybody’s haughtiness; my passive aggressiveness as much as anybody’s active rage-fulness; my flight as much as anybody’s spite; my “acceptable” obsessions as much as anybody’s addictions; my lack of faith as much as anybody’s lack of self-control.
Jesus took the judgment I deserve on the cross, and now you love me with the fullness of compassion, acceptance, and delight. The greatest non sequitur in life is for me to “cop an attitude,” resent, and stay smug towards anyone. Deepen my repentance and deepen my compassion for fellow broken sinners. So very Amen I pray, in your righteous and loving name.