Love Rather Than Judge

Good Morning!! Jesus was teaching in the Temple, when some local religious leaders brought in a woman. They sternly condemned the woman's adulterous behavior,...which was punishable by death. They intended to use her transgression to trap Jesus, in a response that might counter the law of Moses. Instead, Jesus began writing in the dust. He did not excuse the woman's actions,...but He told her not to do it again. Jesus understood that the real need in the woman's life was for love,...not judgment.

Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."—John 8:11 (NRSV)

How frequently do we judge our others without knowing the facts,...or more importantly, without compassion? Like those religious leaders in the text, we sometimes have 20/20 vision regarding the errors of others,...while we remain blind to our own transgressions. During this Christmas season, let us open our hearts to God's grace, so we can be channels of the Gift the world needs most,...God's redeeming love.

Be more ready and willing to love others,
...rather than judge them.
Father God, bestow on us more compassion, for all Your people. Help us to better reflect Your love, every day. Amen.

"Disscouraged people don't need critics.
They don't need more guilt or piled-on distress.
They need encouragement."

(from Praying for our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives), ch. 17, quoting Charles Swindoll