Sober Judgment

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3

When I was seventeen I took a trip back to Germany to visit friends and family! I was there for two and a half months and every minute was amazing! I got to reconnect with lots of old friends whom I had not seen for 7 years. One day I got to go visit one of my friends, but she was at school so her mom and I hung out all day cooking, baking and talking. One of our conversations stuck with me. 

We were cooking German apple strudel and talking about homeschooling. And she asked me, “Do you ever look down on kids that went to public school or feel you are above them?” The directness and frankness of her questions surprised me, but I realized that they are legitimate questions.  For me personally I did not feel above “public schoolers” but as I talked to different homeschoolers about this conversation I realized that is was indeed an issue. This is an issue that actually carries on through all of adulthood if not corrected. 

I love this whole passage in Romans 12 :13

“Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

It is much easier to look down on someone because you think they should know better….because you were raised in such a way that you know better. It is easy for someone who was raised with both parents, schooled at home (in a lovely environment), who saved their first kiss until marriage, to judge those who make bad choices. However, that makes us the Pharisees of 2014. The Pharisees did everything right, they followed the rules, they dresses the right way, they lived righteous lives. But, they were not willing to share salvation with the “unclean” of either race or society. 

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that everyone who was homeschooled judges people. I am just saying that I think there are greater tendencies or opportunities that we need to be on guard against. When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with sinners, listen to Jesus’ response. Mark 2:16-17

“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the ‘sinners’ and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ’Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” On hearing this Jesus said to them.’ It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

Jesus saw people in need and was not afraid to help them or associate with them. Now that being said, I also think there is an extreme in the other direction. Some parents want their children to grow up side by side with unbelievers and dress the same, act the same, to ‘witness’ to them. But how can a child witness to a another child when there is no difference between them? The Spirit works in us and sets us apart. I do not think that becoming just like them is the way to win them to Christ. And I don’t think that is what Jesus is talking about in this passage. 

All things in moderation! We are to be set apart but humbly living in love to everyone around us. Helping, guiding, loving the lost just as Christ. It is hard when you live a different way not to look around you and judge people for their choices and lifestyle. But they are people who just need Jesus. I am not saying we accepted their sin and join in all their activities! But we need to be full of grace and love for the person underneath who is just as sinful as you and I. I am so thankful that God left us His word for us to study and apply every day! I would be so lost without it!! May God bless you today!