Judgement

Over the past several weeks and months I have heard the phrase "Don't judge me!" or "Only God can judge me." A LOT!!! And to be quite honest, it's usually from people that are being criticized for questionable decisions. So, I figured that I would look at and think about the topic of judgement. This may be quite controversial and I realize that, but I'm quite honestly, tired of reading these phrases as a justification of actions. You will be judged... one way or another, so be careful of your choices.
Now, we all know that the final judgement is given by God Himself. We will be judged upon desire, dedication, love, and commitment to Him.But, what about judgement today and with others.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV)
Well, well, well... there you go! Don't judge! Isn't that what Matthew just said, and we know that Matthew was writing under the unction of the Holy Spirit which inspires and reveals to us the thoughts and mind of God Himself. Oh, but wait...
"By their fruits you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:16-18, NIV)
Here's what we have: we have one portion of scripture telling us NOT to judge, and then another portion of scripture saying we will be recognized by what we do. Here's what I think on the act of judging based up these portions of scripture.
1- We cannot judge spiritual matters.
As "professionals" on loving God, a lot of times we like to think we tell how much someone loves God by how much they attend church, how passionately they worship, or how fervently they seem to pray. And for us Pentecostals, how loud we are when we say "Amen!" (haha) We seem to think we can tell if they really love God whether or not they dress, talk, present themselves a certain way. The reality is this: We have no idea what someone's heart, spirit, and relationship with God looks like! NO IDEA! They could be new to the whole Christian scene, and may just be learning. Maybe their style is totally different from yours. (notice: I said "different", not "wrong".) No matter what happens, if someone says they love God - we MUST take their word for it, because we have no clue! Because if we judge their hearts based upon our own precedences, then we shall also be judged upon those same criteria... and chances are - we wouldn't pass our own critique either!
2 - We can recognize you by your fruit.
Fruit. It's the product of the very nature of a tree. An apple comes from an apple tree because, well, it's an apple tree! I may not be able to judge your heart, but I certainly can recognize good fruit or bad fruit! YOU are defined by your fruit. If you don't want people to think, say, or recognize you in a negative way - don't feed people bad fruit! If you want people to see you as someone with great potential, incredible love, and great passion - serve good fruit! See the deal is simple: when people get mad about someone "judging" them, it's usually someone that passes their judgement upon the fruit they were just served. If I'm served a lemon, I make a face...why? It's sour and I don't like lemons. To me, lemons are bad fruit and I react to the serving of them. Don't justify your actions based upon "judgement"... simply understand that every decision, every action, and every thought creates a fruit! The question isn't "is someone judging me", the question should be "what kind of fruit am I serving?"
3 - Build a correction relationship.
If you have not earned a voice into my life, then you have not invested in my life enough to correct my actions! Plain and simple. There are a lot of loud mouths out there that love to correct others actions, simply because they love drama. Don't listen to that. I would take some merit in the fact that obviously I served them bad fruit. Is it legitimately bad fruit, or is it just a fruit they didn't prefer? (refer back to my lemon illustration) There IS, however, an exception. There are people I may never meet that have never personally invested in my life... but because of their God given authority, revelation, and position - I will listen. The Bishop of the IPHC - I have NEVER had him take me to a restaurant to pour into my life. But, if he were to correct some of my decisions, I would listen. Why? Because of who he is! I trust him, God trusts him, and my life should be corrected by proven men of God!
So what am I saying? It's simple really: 1- Quit justifying your actions based upon others "judging" you. 2- No one knows your heart but you and God. And those that you reveal those intimate details to. 3- I have to eat/see the fruits you serve. You decide if they are good or bad. 4- Listen to people that invest in your life, and listen well! Surround yourself with people that will direct your life according to the Bible, and God...and listen well!
I hope this clears up some of the "judgement" things. I'm not "judging" you, I'm recognizing fruits. BIG difference! Just because I don't like your fruit, doesn't mean you don't love God, and I don't love you...it simply means that if I do love God, I will do my best to make sure my fruits do line up with God.

Commercials

In Columbia, SC there's a man that owns several car lots - Jim Hudson. His family are great people. I was riding down the road and I heard one of his commercials, for his newest car lot endeavor - Jim Hudson Ford Town. The name is interesting, but the "saying" at the end of the commercial was the best!

"If you want to be the biggest Ford dealer in town, you don't build another lot, you build a town!"

Wow! Think about the truth of this. What the commercial was essentially teaching - without even knowing it - was the importance of VISION!

A lot of times we prepare for where we are, while thinking of where we want to be. When in all reality, we should prepare for where we COULD be, and think of where we were! As a pastor, it's easy not to prepare for the next place in the vision. It's easy to get so consumed with where I am, that where I'm going is overlooked. For the sake of humanity I'm glad Noah didn't think about this.

In one of the oldest stories in the Bible, we see vision portrayed. Noah was told something by God, and instead of not preparing for the next area of his life and ministry, he prepared... even when it made no sense. When others couldn't comprehend or grasp, he had to prepare. Why? His vision exceeded his current state.

Why in the ministry do we often cease to prepare for what we're striving for, and we instead make comfortable where we are. Being comfortable wasn't in the cards when God called us. Here's the 3 things I believe we, as visionaries, must do:

1. Figure Out Your Vision: Proverbs 29:18 Stop being close minded, and comfortable. Find your place. Find your belonging. What is YOUR purpose? Don't live off the ideas and concepts of others pastors, ministers, or family members. Allow your vision to be unique, specific, and personal. The only way to do that is to get serious about seeking God's face!
2. Commit To Your Vision: Don't compromise! Compromise is easily justified. I don't care how much money someone will give you, or the support they will offer... Your vision was ENTRUSTED to YOU! Stick with it - be confident in it, and commit to it! People will have a problem and a misunderstanding with your vision - but don't give up on it.
3. Prepare For The Vision: If your vision, as a pastor, is to grow your church numerically or spiritually. (and if it's not what is your vision?) My question would be - what are you doing to prepare for the vision? If you have a vision to build a new church building - what are you doing to prepare for that?

God will not bless laziness. If we have sought God for our vision and our purpose, do not hesitate or become lazy in that. Let Him move in your life, and begin TODAY to be prepared!

Just some thoughts from a fellow pastor...