Don’t Judge Others

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Don't judge others just because they sin differently than you.

In today’s Bible reading*, James warns his readers against judging other people. He says, “If … you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. (James 2:9–10 CSB)

Let’s be clear. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 CSB) That means every one of us. Every. One. Of. Us. James agrees and points out that “For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”

Application

You may tend to look down on other people because they participate — and may even celebrate — a particular sin. But don’t judge them just because they sin differently than you. You sin too. Your sin may not be as “grievous” as someone else’s, but your sin — as “mild” as it may seem — put Jesus on the cross. Jesus died to cover your sin just like He died to cover that other person’s sin.

Grace is never deserved. Wages are deserved for service rendered. Grace isn’t just unmerited favor. But grace is favor granted to someone who deserves condemnation.

When seen from that perspective, it’s easier to extend grace as grace has been extended to you. You are no more deserving of grace than anyone else. In fact, to view grace in that way only proves how much you don’t understand grace.

If you have freely received grace (which you have), then freely extend grace to others.

* Today we are reading James 2.

This devotional was originally published on March 29, 2020.


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