James 4:11-17
Who wants to be free today!!?
Here is the deal. If we stop judging each other then we stop acting like a spiritual policeman, prosecuting attorney, the judge AND jailer! This is a lot of work!
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren…he who speaks evil of the law…judges the law.”
What law? The law boiled down to one word…LOVE! Remember, Jesus said all the law is boiled down to this: “love the your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and your neighbor as yourself.”
If we love others and stop judging them then guess who gets set free…?! We do! The freedom also allows us to give God the responsibility to change folks, help them repent, and ideally eventually reconcile the wrong they have done or are doing. Remember, you and I want and need that same grace.
Then, we are told to be careful with the time God has given us here on earth. Our lives are “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Enjoy the time we have here on earth, plan wisely but not arrogantly as our breath is in God’s hand. Lastly, be careful to avoid sins of commission, (stuff we do), as well as omission, (stuff we should do but don’t).
“Therefore, to Him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
Bottom line: love people anywhere, all the time with all you have. Part of that love is to plan well to be a good steward of the time God has given you but to be sensitive to His plan and flexible to His timing. Also, try to love people by stopping destructive personal habits and behaviors because we all love you and want you around a bit longer. Be open to doing things that are uncomfortable for you when God says He wants us to not only stop our sins of commission but He also wants us to stop our sins of omission where we may be allowing wrong things to happen but we choose to ignore them or turn our head to avoid conflict or responsibility.
Today, freedom for us is in not judging, letting God handle our issues, loving others, and enjoying the time today God has given us as we flow in His Spirit!