Who Am I To Judge?

I know that I am not the Judge, because if I were the judge I would have destroyed things long ago. Judgment is reserved for the One who has the power to give and take away the salvation or condemnation of the soul. I know one powerful statement made in the scriptures written in Matthew chapter 7: Judge not, that you be not judged. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

I know I have much to answer for in my life. I have judged many according to their looks, height, weight or color or creed. I know that I have said many things that I should not in my past, and all those things will be used to measure me. It is easy to see the downfalls of others but to see the wickedness in your own life is hard. I have tried hard to look at everyone through Christ’s eyes—a feat that is almost impossible when people have hurt and persecuted me. I have lived but a mere thirty-six years on this earth and I can honestly say that what I have done wrong far outweighs what I have done right.

I try not to judge anyone, because now that I have experienced death in my family I realize that our lives are so short. My grandmother died at ninety-seven, and I know she was ready to meet her Maker, but if you asked her if she thought she was prepared for the judgment—she would have said no.

As I said before, I try to look at people through Christ’s eyes. Let me explain what I mean by that. I know that I feel the grace and mercy in my life, even though I fail every day, I know God gives me a little more of that precious thing called time. I only have a short time on this earth to do right by my Maker’s eyes, and I know that if there is a big book written just for me and my sins there would be volumes. But, I go on living and trying and praying for the knowledge and grace to be a better man, a better husband, father, son and friend. I most of all want to be a better witness for the One who hung on the cross, and for the God who rose from the dead.

I weep some days thinking that it was for me that He died, and every failure is another thorn in His crown. But He is my Advocate before the Father, and when the devil comes and accuses me, He defends me with His life. He has already showed me the grace now I wait for the return. I know that I get tired of life and some days I wish it would just end. I know that because of the grace of God He would not let me live until I am two-hundred for the simple fact that I don’t need any more time to screw things up.

I try hard to remove that “plank” from my eye, not because I want to point out what is in your eye, I just want to be able to see clearly. I want my eyes to be focused and I want my heart to be pure. I want to be humble and self controlled—and I know that it is a lifelong process, I just pray I have enough time to make up for all the foolishness I have done.

The last few years with the loss of two family members the idea of death has become real. The idea of life has become fragile and I know that we exist for only a short time. What have I done with my life? How have I made a difference in anyone’s life? I know that I ask myself those questions, especially of late.

Forgiveness is a powerful and glorious thing. When I have forgiven people their sins against me it feels that a great weight has come off of me. I know that God’s mercy is supreme and if He has forgiven me for the sins that I have done I should not hold back forgiveness to my fellow man.