This statement is not some haphazard theory, but it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution— “with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the shortcomings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26).Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge.”Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). He went on to say, in effect, “If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others”? We have judged others as sinners— if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ._________________________________________________________________June 22 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank you for the reminder in this devotional. Sometimes we can feel oh so smug wrapped around our feelings of “rightness”. You have been teaching David and me that “sin management” is not something to spend our time and energy addressing; that when we focus on Jesus, and surrender, get connected and remain curious, that You will change our lives and our behavior in Your time and ways. We can forget all about the time effort and energy we used to invest in “sin management”. You simply remake us in Your image. However, You did not teach us to judge others that are still wrapped up in the whole issue of sin management. And sometimes, we talk as if are superior and above it all. Please forgive us, take our tendency to judge away and continue to make us men after Your own heart.

And God says…”Human nature has a natural tendency to want to be validated. Humans want to be right, appear to be right, while seeking to minimize pain and maximize pleasure. It is difficult for humans to see themselves as needing a Savior; a Savior for eternal life, AND a Savior for day to day living. You want to take charge of your lives, be in control and avoid criticism and the judgement of others. And a natural way to accomplish this is to be the one that does the judging. This approach runs rampant in churches, with nations and patriotism, even in neighborhoods. For natural validation, Humans feel and believe that their race, religion, families, neighborhoods, schools, cities, states, and countries are better than others. But if you will seek first the Kingdom Of God, which is Jesus, I will give you all the validation you need. Before you look askew at other people, nations, denominations, churches, music, preachers, teachers, and doctrine, check your own surrender and connection with Jesus. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. Jesus gave you but two commandments: love your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.”