"Judgemental Christians"

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your own brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5

Did you know that verse is one of the most quoted scriptures of the bible? Especially, by non-believers. Oh, they may claim to "believe in God", but they don't know what it is like to have a true relationship with Jesus Christ. This verse is commonly used as a defense to keep them away entering church doors and surrendering their lives. Why? Because they claim Christians are too judgemental and are hypocrites. The truth is...most of us are! Let me explain.

First of all, Christians aren't perfect. If you claim to be, you need some prayer because you are dead wrong! Christians are human. We sin daily. The difference is...Christians strive to be Christ-like and try to walk in holiness. They display fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-24) When Christians sin, they know it, acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness, and move on.

There are people who claim to be Christians, but lack the fruits of the spirit...especially love. If you have ever had a person try to point out your faults and short-comings, when you know they are guilty of the same, you know what I'm talking about. They are speaking from a heart of self-righteousness and not of love. Sometimes, those same people are not guilty of the same, but feel the need to crush your spirit every time they get a chance. Here's an example. I know a person who believes she is a Christian, but recognizes there is an aspect of her life that is not pleasing to God. It's sin. Someone that knows her and sees her occasionally (who claims to also be a Christian) always brings up that "sinful aspect" every chance she gets. While she is right about the "sinful aspect", her motives for always bringing it up certainly does not from a place of love, but from a place of "I'm better than you." YUK! This behavior really disgusts me because when non-believers see this behavior, they are quick to categorize all Christians this way.

As a Christian, I do want other Christians to point out to me if I'm not living the way I should. However, it should be done in a loving way...not with selfish motives. That's not an attitude of Christ. Christ doesn't beat you down to get you accept his salvation. He is there with open arms and ready to love you.

When you truly have Christ in your heart, a funny thing happens. All those gray areas in the world, soon become black or white. You do become less tolerant of things that aren't pleasing to Christ. I know this because it has happened to me. I willingly admit I know I've become more "judgemental" about certain issues (abortion, gay rights, just to name a few). It's because I strive to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God. I want my daily choices to honor God, not my flesh. Am I perfect? Absolutely not! But I do try to be a better person.

The truth is...the Bible is very clear on how to live as a Christian and the road to heaven is narrow. (Matthew 7:13-14) The bible is our road map for navigating through life. We may not like all it says and often think it doesn't apply to life today. NEWSFLASH! It does. Christ died for our sins by shedding his blood on a cross. I think he has earned the right to tell us through his word how we should live and what he considers to be right or wrong. Unfortunately, society doesn't want to hear that message. Because of this, there will be several people, including your friends and family, that will perish in eternal hell, because they refused the truth.

It's our job as Christians to reach out with love to others and share the love of Jesus Christ. Once the seed is planted, he will do the rest.

"Fireproof Your Marriage"

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25

If you haven't had a chance to see the movie "Fireproof", get to the nearest movie theatre this weekend! It's one of the best movies I've ever seen. Be prepared though...you will be challenged to look at your marriage in a new light.

Without giving too much of the plot away, let me just say this movie is for you if you can identify with the following topics:

Troubled relationship or marriage
Anger
Disrespect
Adultery
Loneliness
Independence
Internet porn
Unforgiveness
Selfishness
In need of a miracle
Salvation through Jesus Christ

This movie will make you realize how the love of Jesus Christ can help you overcome the many obstacles we place in the path of our own lives. Through Jesus, we learn how to love and be loved. We become changed. Our wants and desires are made new. We are forgiven and can extend forgiveness to others...especially our loved ones.

Speaking from experience, a marriage can never work if Christ is not the head of your relationship. Picture a triangle. If God is at the top of the triangle and the husband and wife make up the lower points, the triangle is complete. The husband and wife are equal. As the husband and wife seek Christ as the head of their relationship, they move closer to him and closer to each other. Hence, they move closer to the top of the triangle. If Christ is not the head of the relationship, eventually, they husband and wife will drift further apart and the triangle will no longer have equal sides.

If you are in a state of discord with your spouse, let me challenge you to examine your relationship. Do you willingly invite Christ into your marriage? Wives, do you willingly allow your husband to assume their role as the head of the house or do you control every aspect? Husbands, are you the spiritual leader of your home or does your walk not match your talk? We have a responsibility to ourselves and the commitment we made before God to honor our marriage. That means that sometimes we need to bite our tongues, stop thinking me, myself and I, and think we and ours. What can I do for you? How are your feeling? What are your needs? When you consider these things, you will see a change in your relationship.

I've learned the hard way that love is more than a feeling, it's a choice! We can choose to fall in and out of love. We can choose to be defeated. We can choose to be sucked into the world or we can choose Christ.

Choosing Christ is always the right answer...the right answer for you and the right answer for your relationship!