James Ray Johnson – 671 words

We were driving by Panda Express when my 5-year-old grandson asked, “Papaw, what do they serve there?”  So, I asked him, “Well what do they serve at Burger King?”  “Burgers!” he said.  “And what do they serve at Taco Bell?”  “Tacos!”   “And what do they serve at Pizza Hut?” “Pizza!”  “So, what do you think they serve at Panda Express?”   – – He took the bait and was ready for us to stop in and have a Panda paddy! 

He exercised his judgment.  He considered the facts and came to a reasonable, but wrong conclusion.

It’s a goofy story and yet a good reminder that I should be cautious with and even question my judgment.  This is especially true when it comes to others.   Many are obsessed with judging the behavior, attitudes and looks of one another.   I don’t know why you do it, but I do it because it has a perverse way of making me feel better about me.   Is that sad or what? 

But this judgment thing is pretty much like spitting in the wind.  It comes back to splatter us in the most disgusting ways.

Jesus spoke to the issue when He said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.  Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?”  (Matt 7:1-3) -NET Bible®

Well why not Jesus?  Why shouldn’t we judge one another?

– because we may not have all the facts.  Yes, the guy looks like a thug but he could be an undercover cop! 

– because we seldom know a person’s motives.  Your friend refuses to visit your church.  Such a heathen!  What you don’t know is that she doesn’t own a churchy dress and is afraid she’ll embarrass you in front of your churchy friends.  

– because our judgment can be skewed.  Which skew belongs to you?  “The most responsible parent educates their kids” 1) at home; 2) in a private school 3) or in a public school.”  Hey, there’s something in my eye.  It’s a redwood and it makes it hard to see the speck in yours.

– because we have guilt of our own.  Oops!  I just drove through a red light!   I wonder if that other driver is cussing me the way I would have cussed him?   Oh so that’s what Jesus meant when He said, “judge not lest you be judged?”

– because judgment is the work of government.   OK someone needs to be in charge!  God gave that job to government (hard to believe but it’s true).  Government creates laws; nabs the law breaker; and the court renders judgment as to guilt.  (Romans 13:1-7). 

– because judgment is ultimately the work of God.  I can relax.  One day God will wisely and fairly judge my neighbor for the choices he has made in this life.  (2 Corinthians 5:10)   Fantastic – except – I will be next in line as The Judge renders His judgment on we who judge. 

Lori Loughlin played the role of Aunt Becky on the TV show Full House.  She has been accused of paying to have her daughter’s SAT scores altered so that her girl could beat out other kids in the race for a place at college.

There has been a mixed response from her peers.  Uncle Jesse wants to whisk her out of town on his Harley.  Danny has volunteered to provide states evidence, and uncle Joey is asking the FBI to “Cut – it – out!”  Everyone seems to be in a rush to judge.

Slow down!  Maybe she was part of a sting operation; or maybe she thought she was buying some tutoring, or maybe she fully understood what she was doing.  Who knows for sure?  Better we allow the justice system and God to handle it!

In the meantime, I’m hungry.  Let’s break out those Panda paddies?

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Casting Crowns handled the issue well in their song Jesus, Friend of Sinners. Check out the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJXIugwiN7Q