Let’s Talk Judgment By Ed McDowell

A Biblical Perspective on Judgment

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

John 3:17-18, NLT

Christ is talking with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a well-respected teacher and religious leader of the day. He came to Jesus at night because it was very controversial and dangerous for a religious leader to be meeting one-on-one with him.

Part of their conversation focused on passing judgment on people, something those responsible for enforcing the law would regularly do.

Reflection

Jesus gives a headline here: 

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Stated again, Jesus might say: “I am not here to judge people; I am here to save them.”

Jesus continues, referring to himself: “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him.”

Christ does speak to the matter of judgment: “But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

Judgment has already taken place because of unbelief in God through Jesus Christ.

The Opportunity

Please hear me: Our opportunity as followers of Christ is to invite people to move from a life of judgment to freedom and forgiveness. This is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

The focus of our presence in the world is not the condemnation of people. Rather, it is the sacrificial love of Christ made available to everyone.

In Romans chapter 1, living a life under the judgment of not believing in God is described in considerable detail. Here is how the description begins: 

“Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.

As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So, they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”

Romans 1:21-25, NLT

No Judgement

Lest you and I start passing judgment here, look to the beginning of Romans: 

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.

And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

Romans 2:1-4, NLT

Encouragement

Sin has created a context where everyone who does not believe in Christ is already living under God’s judgment. There isn’t any judging or condemning of others for us to do. It is not our job.

As followers of Christ, our lives are to be kind, tolerant, and patient with others, just as God is with us, for a very simple reason: when people believe in Christ, they are saved, rescued, and delivered from the judgment of sin that was on them before believing in Christ.

Christ came to save the world.

Our focus is to invite people to believe in the living Son of God.

We offer freedom from judgment and condemnation by inviting people to come to Christ.

Questions

Are you focused on delivering people from a life of judgment and condemnation by inviting them to believe in Jesus Christ?

Do you need to repent and lay down some “judgy” attitudes and behaviors towards other people who do not yet believe in and follow Christ?

Are you approaching humanity with the kindness and patience Christ does, so that anyone and everyone might be saved from the judgment already on their lives because of sin?

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Let’s face it, we like to judge and condemn people. Our culture is full of this. We are bombarded with it every day. We are invited, with permission and encouragement, to judge and condemn others. This behavior is at epidemic levels.

Unfortunately, there is far too much judgment and condemnation that has crept into your church, the body of Christ.

Please forgive us. We repent of our judging and condemning ways.

May we live out your purpose and vision for all of humanity everywhere in every situation: to see people saved into a new life of freedom, forgiveness, and love by believing in and following you.

Holy Spirit, please lead us in following Christ with his love and vision for saving humanity.

Help us focus our lives on your mission of saving people through belief in you.

Stop us from being so judgmental towards others.

In your name, Jesus, we pray,

Amen.

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Ed McDowell is the CEO of Warm Beach Camp Ministries. He also coaches and consults on board leadership and development, bringing fresh perspectives to complex situations. Ed authorizes a devotional series titled A Well-Planted Faith in an Uprooted Culture. His writing and speaking aim to challenge people to let God’s Word inform their lives. Ed and his wife, Bev, live on Camano Island, Washington, where they live out their mission statement: “To give our lives away for the cause of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.”

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