"Judge not, that you be not judged."  (Matthew 7:1)

A man was scheduled to be put to death via the gas chamber because of a crime he was found guilty of committing years ago.  In an interview with the media, a family member of the person he had brutally killed made the comment that at last justice would be done.  It may be that I do not understand justice, but his comments felt more like retribution would be carried out than justice being accomplished.  I suspect there is a fine line between justice and judgment.

The other day I had a phone conversation with a person who had been a minister in a “restrictive” denomination.  He had a friend who moved from the same denomination to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) because he found the Disciples to be more open.  So, the minister wanted to speak with me about making a transition to the Disciples of Christ.  As we talked, it became apparent he had experienced his current denomination to be one that emphasized the judgment found in the Bible rather than the grace.  Whether this was true or not, I do not know, but the caller experienced the people in the denomination to be more interested in what you did not do, rather than what you did because of your relationship with Jesus Christ.  He found them to be quite judgmental and restrictive.

Until recently, when I read about judgment in Matthew 7 I read it to be about me.  This was helpful, but the text is about more than that.  Recently I started reading it from a different point of view.  I am now reading it about me and about others when I feel judgment from them.  If I feel rejection from someone else, whether false or realized, I ask myself, “Which one of us is this about?”

All of us judge people.  Usually it is done in the silence of our minds.  But, it is judgment nonetheless.  Why are people that way?  I errantly think judgment is about the other person.  It is not.  Judgment, which I express aloud or think, is about me.  It (100% of the time) comes from my own insecurity and/or lack of identity.  It is my way of making me feel okay to myself.  It is my way of confirming that I am a person worthy of taking up space on earth.  It is my way of knowing that I am a person of value.  Ultimately this causes me to confuse retribution, judgment, and justice.  There never can be justice when I confuse these three.  Any justice that results occurs when judgment and retribution do not stand in the way.  

So, when I am tempted to judge others, I need to ask what is going on inside of me that causes this response in me.  When I feel judged by others I need to recognize that their judging is more about them than about me.  In fact, it is most likely all about them.

Dawn Breaker #76: What need does a person (me or another) have that causes judgment?
 

"There are a number of guidelines I try to follow in life and ministry. I find that when I follow them, situations sometimes become like the rising of the sun.  There is a luminous glow turning to great light, and occasionally, inspiration.  When I don't follow these adopted guidelines, they sometimes become Don breakers, making life frustrating at best.   I do not suggest you should live by all the principles I choose for my life.  If they are helpful for you, make them your own.  They work for me."
                                                                                                                 Don Shelton