What Would Jesus UN-Do?

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.   And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye." (Matthew 7: 1-5)

Zowie!!!

Those who truly wanted Jesus were always received with open arms; accepted where they were, with the admonition (Def: gentle or friendly reproof) to "go and sin no more".   Their sins were freely and readily forgiven (not laid out for all to see).  The time we are told about, in scripture, of the woman brought to Jesus, who had been "caught in the act of adultery" (just the woman was brought - not the man also...it takes two...), He, even then, didn't rub her sin in her face. He did, however, call out her accusers.  Very interesting indeed!

Years ago we, Christians, experienced the "WWJD?" (What Would Jesus Do?) movement.  There were wristband, t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc to ask us that question constantly.  But did we really take it to heart?  Did we really work to figure out what Jesus would do?

Too many times we want to force repentance (and a lot of times judgment) on people by exposing, laying bare, their weaknesses, faults, quirks, failures and sins to the eyes of those around us.  We often feel justified in this because we are "helping them see the error of their ways" <insert eye roll here>.  But when we do this, are we conveniently ignoring the "log in our own eye" (our weaknesses, faults, quirks, failures and sins)?  Are we really helping our brother or sister?  Are we really doing what Jesus would do?

Some time ago my husband bought a t-shirt that says, "What Would Jesus UN-Do?"  What?!?  When you really think about it - from a place of humility (and not trying to defend yourself), you start to see things from your own life (and that of the Church) that He would most definitely UN-do.

How many people - people who need Jesus, people who are trying to live for Him, people He loves, people He died for - have we injured, with our judgmental attitudes, in HIS name?  How many have we laid bare, as we sit back and smugly watch the carnage we have created?  How many baby believers have we turned away from the faith with our self-righteous words and attitudes?  How many people will never come to know Him because some of His kids had a really bad, judgmental attitude?

So, what would Jesus do, that we - too often - are not doing?  

He would accept people where they are.

He would love people with all their weaknesses, faults, quirks, failures and sins.

He would forgive them all these things, cover them with His blood and remember them NO more.

He would gently lead them into being a reflection of Himself.

We, His kids, are supposed to be using Him as our measuring rod for OURSELVES.  (Remember His Word - he actually said it Himself - says:  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.)  With the knowledge that He is working in us, shouldn't we be confident He is working in others?  He works in others as HE sees fits. Let's not get in the way with what we think, with our limited thinking, is best.

Don't hear what I'm not saying.  I not saying we should never go to a brother or sister, in love, if we see something not quite right - IF (notice the bigness of this IF) the Holy Spirit has directed us to go speak to them. Remembering that every word we speak and every action we commit should come from a place of LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE.  It is vitally important to remember what we have be forgiven of, the faults He is working on in our own lives before approaching someone with what we see in their lives.

I don't want to stand before the Father one day and be presented with a list of my actions and words that He would UN-do...do you?

Lord, may my words and actions be a reflection of what you would do, and not those of my humanness. I pray I can love people to You, and not turn them from You.  Let every word I say and action I commit be full of Your love, grace and mercy, with the knowledge that you love those around me with the same love that You love me with. Amen.