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Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37  NLT

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Years ago (in my twenties) I worked with a woman who accidently taught me a serious lesson. I don’t recall what we were talking about but she said, “A new family came to our church. They wanted to become members. We discovered he worked for a liquor distributor driving a truck. delivering booze to stores. We told him his family was welcome to join but he would have to quit that job.”  He took his family and went to another church.

She was so very gleeful about what the church did. She thought they were in the right, keeping “that sort of influence” out of their church. What got me was how ugly her face looked as she shared this story.

Even all these years later I remember her smug attitude, pride, superior sounding voice and facial expressions. Don’t judge. It makes you ugly, inside and out.

I have a friend who was a stripper. I’m sure she faced this type of attitude, also. The thing is, she got radically saved and now she is head of a ministry that goes into strip clubs to minister God’s love in a way the girls understand. With love and no judgement. She states in part, “Our vision is to reach, restore and equip women in the sex industry…”

So tell me – what would have happened to all the people she has reached with the love of Jesus if she had been judged as unworthy? If she gave up seeking His love and got saved, all because she couldn’t see it in His people? 

Leland and I had to stop watching news about the election and people involved because we began to have the same attitude as that woman I mentioned. We’d yell at the tv. Start talking about the people in a derogat0ry way. It didn’t take very long before we were convicted. Repented. Turned all news off.

God says to JUDGE NOT. He never mentioned exemptions to that rule. You may disagree with these politicians, feel like (and know) they are wildly crazy, and, yes, even evil. Very evil. If you feel you can’t pray for them, just don’t talk abut them.

God says pray for those who despitefully use you. Walk in love toward all, no matter who. Pray for peace to rule the country. Ask for God to move on our behalf. Doesn’t mean you like the people, just don’t judge them. HEY, if it was easy, we’d all be walking right and not judging. HE SAID “don’t do it” so don’t judge.

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