Condemnation or Compassion?

Recently I have spent some time visiting and participating in an online community/forum for pregnant women.  The group that I have been participating in has over 7000 members, and all these are just women who are expecting in March of 2012.  What I have noticed is the constant judgment that occurs.  Judgment on women's opinions, actions, parenting styles, beliefs.  You name it, someone is judging it. And when I mean judging, I do not mean making a judgment on whether something is right or wrong because it is necessary that we do that, but rather, I am referring to standing in condemnation and actively criticizing.

As I have thought about this over the last couple of days it has made me sad.  It's no wonder why people put on "masks" when they go out in public, why people don't want to share their struggles, or ask for help, or be real.  Who would want to do that when the responses are judgmental and critical instead of compassionate and helpful?  Even going out to Walmart can bring judgment on yourself.  How many times have I heard, and actively participated in condemning the way those people are dressed or acting?  Just letting your kids play outside can bring judgment on yourself.  How many times have I seen the kids playing on the street and condemned their deliquent parents (without even knowing who their parents are) for not keeping an eye on them. How many times have I condemned women who have had an abortion (yes, I have made the judgment that abortion is wrong and against God's law, but I do not have the authority to stand in condemnation of these women)  How many times have I condemned my neighbors for one thing or another?  Yes,  I am and have been guilty of being the judge and jury myself many more times than I would like to admit. 

But then I think of Jesus.  Jesus who was the friend of sinners.  Jesus who asked the pharisees in regards to the adulterous women in John 8:7 He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  Jesus who dined with sinners. Jesus who diligently taught and took as his closest companions some of the lowest, uneducated and disrespected members of society in those days (tax collectors, fishermen, etc). Jesus who showed compassion to the thief on the cross.    Jesus who died on the cross for people who hate(d) him. Jesus who sees my own wicked heart and lets me yell at him and cry to him, and push him away at times, yet he still loves me more than anyone even though he knows the deepest secrets of my heart.

Although Jesus is the judge and will one day cast judgement on the people who have rejected him, right now he isn't holding hell as a gun to our head for our wrongs.  Instead he is holding out compassion, salvation, new life, and an eternity in heaven with him for even the worst of people who will accept his gift.

What am I holding out to sinful, struggling people?  Am I holding out condemnation and criticism?  Or am I being compassionate.  Am I holding out the hope and victory and freedom that we can have in Christ?

Food for thought....


~Change my heart, Dear God.  Let it be like you!

Love As I Loved
Ron Hamilton
When our Lord was speaking to the crowd, a beggar came
Who fell down before Christ and  called out His name.
The disciples quickly came,
And they turned the man away,
Till they saw the Lord's compassion
And they heard the Savior say:

Love as I loved,
Give as I gave;
These are the people that I came to save.
Love as I loved, and I will shine through.
Let others see My love in you.

Yesterday my time was filled with vain and empty things,
And I was so busy with all that life brings.
People crowded in my way,
But I pushed them all away they were just a senseless bother
Till I heard the Savior say:

Love as I loved,
Give as I gave;
These are the people that I came to save.
Love as I loved, and I will shine through.
Let others see My love in you.