Which Will We Be?

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

In this one verse we see the reason for Jesus' first coming. He did not come to judge or condemn. He came to save and bring us into His family, to be used for His glory, until He either takes us home or returns to get us. That being said, who are we to judge or condemn another? Have we now put ourselves in the place of Jesus to judge another? James 4:11-12 warns us against speaking evil and judging our brethren. He warns that there is only one Lawgiver and only one Judge. Now before my legalistic brethren lose their minds, I want to say that we can certainly judge without being judgmental. When we know that there is sin in our brother's life, we are to follow the instructions given to us in the Scriptures (Galatians 6:1-5). We need to examine ourselves, approach with humility, and seek to come alongside that struggling brother and help him to be restored. If he refuses and is stubborn about it, then there are steps that can be taken to put him out of fellowship, in love, so that God can deal with him; even to the extent of allowing Satan to deal with him, "for the destruction of the flesh" (1 Corinthians 5). Again, please understand that there is a difference between judging and being judgmental. In John 8, an adulterous woman was brought to Jesus to be judged and punished in accordance with the Law. The Lord Jesus, who is perfect, and had EVERY right to judge her and condemn her, chose redemption, forgiveness, and restoration. The scribes and Pharisees were seeking judgment and condemnation. In the end, Jesus spent more time dealing with their wrong attitude and motives than He did dealing with the woman. So, when we are faced with dealing with one one another when we sin, we have one choice; we can be like the scribes and Pharisees or be like Jesus. Which will we be?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).