Hello Dear Listeners, welcome to overcoming temptations. My name is Oyisi Okatahi. Today our topic is titled: Do Not Judge Others.
As I was travelling on a plane I met a man who is an atheist, meaning he does not believe in God. So we spoke about technology and I learnt a lot from him. So he asked me to teach him something, then I said if he does not mind, I will like to share my faith in Jesus Christ. So he said he was once a Christian but due to the hypocrisy and insincerity of the Christians he met he later became an atheist. He asked me this question “Does it mean because I am not a Christian I will go to hell”. And I know this is a question that many non believers will ask Christians. So I answered him clearly, I am not the judge; God is so I am not in position to pass judgment. I will rather spend my time telling people on how to get to heaven than judging those who will go to hell. A lawyer may advise you on the consequence of breaking a law, but he cannot pass judgment on you if you choose to break it, because he is not the judge and may not consider all the criteria the judge will use in giving judgment.
Let us consider the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman. In John 8, The Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him. So in this story, the Pharisees were so sure that God and Jesus will condemn this woman, she was caught red handed in adultery, how can you explain or justify that. They passed judgment. If Jesus said she was not guilty, he will be accused breaking the law of Moses and considered a false prophet. If he said she was guilty, immediately they would have stoned the woman to death, and some people will have wondered why Jesus was not compassionate. So as far as the Pharisees were concerned there was no way out for Jesus. So Jesus answered them, he said “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone”. When the accusers heard this, they went away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
So look at the judgment it was perfect and fair. This is what I told the man that Psalm 19:9 says the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. So I don’t know how God will judge, but I know it will be true and righteous.
Notice Jesus did not tell the woman that adultery was fine, but he forgave her and said that she should go and sin no more. Mathew 7:1 says Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. It is fine to tell people in love that certain actions are sinful and wrong in the eyes of God, however for heaven and hell, let God decide that. Even apostle Paul said we know in part and prophesy in part. 1 Corinthians 13:9.
So what I do know is that Jesus is saying, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. It is an open invitation, so receive Jesus today into your life and obey him. Have a blessed day.
