Today I was reminded yet again that I am not to judge others. It is a very difficult thing to remember.When I hear people judging politicians solely on what one biased news station says, I get impatient. “What happened to the loving Christian person I know you to be?” I think in my head.When I hear people telling me what I shouldn’t do, read, or be involved in, I get impatient. “I am free in Christ Jesus!” I think in my head.Whether I am dealing with my parents or my in-laws I really don’t understand how a loving Christian can be brainwashed by a news channel. But I do see a certain amount of brainwashing being done by news channels that are biased.When I was in journalism class in college, we learned that we only reported the facts. We were supposed to be objective in reporting the events around us. Only the editor’s section and the opinion section were allowed to voice the opinions of the author. And it was clearly marked – this is my opinion. And usually there were several opinions showing different sides to the story.These days, if you want a different side, you find a different paper, or channel or news source. But it is extremely hard to find any objective news source. The closest I have found is the comedian on The Daily Show.Besides the political realm there is the freedom that I have in Christ Jesus that some would like to remove from me. Some churches want to ban music that they don’t like and say that it is wrong, even if it is written as a prayer from a sincere heart. Some churches only want people to read certain bible translations when there are so many good translations that help to make things clearer in meaning. It is not my place to limit the freedom of my fellow believers. God speaks to them in his time and in his way. I am not to judge another believers actions. I am not to judge based on music style or biblical translations or what kind of food to eat.My thoughts on this?Galations 5:1-2 Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is squandered.(The Message)Galations 5:1-2 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. (ASV)Galations 5:1-2 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (KJV)Galations 5:1-2 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. (NIV)Lord, teach me today to have patience and show mercy to others. Forgive me of my sins. Help me to walk in your paths and follow you with my whole heart. Do not let me give up my freedom to walk in man-made rules. Show me your wisdom and discernment so that I can walk free, full of your peace and your love.
