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Judge Correctly


 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. John 7:24(TNIV)

What is judging correctly? I often hear people quote, “do not judge, or you will be judged” (Matt 7:1-2). But here Jesus distinguishes between wrong judging (judging by appearances) and correct judging.
I often get frustrated by people who claim to be ‘Christian,’ and yet nothing in their life reflects the one they chose to follow. Surely to take on the ‘Christian’ name means to live a certain way. To claim to be Christian means to live a life that honours Christ. Those who claim to be someone who be judged by what they say.
I propose correct judging is judging someone by their own words; their out ward words and actions line up with their inward being. Jesus spoke these words to a crowd who were accusing him of breaking the Sabbath (he healed on the Sabbath). It was fine to circumcise a baby boy on the Sabbath but apparently not to heal. Jesus was pointing out the hypocrisy of their ways. At another time Jesus asks, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4, TNIV).
So the questions now is, what are the standards to judge Christians? Perhaps judging by appearances is seeing if someone goes to church on Sunday (Now, I love my church, but should that be how we judge?) Maybe the standards for Christians is best summarised by James, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27, TNIV). James is basically saying love others and be holy. Be complete, let your body, soul and spirit be in line with each other. I like to call this ‘wholy living.’
Those who claim to be Christians should be judged by what they claim. We should be judged according to how Jesus lived. I wish others would do true Christians a favour, if not living a life to honour Christ, don’t claim to be Christian. Otherwise be judged by your own words.
To those who are living to honour Christ, keep standing firm and walking in the Spirit; be holy and look after the poor.

God Speed!

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