judgment days
"It matters little to me whether you or any human court pass judgment on me." —1 Corinthians 4:3
Does it matter to you if other people judge you? To most people, it matters a lot. Some become angry, resentful, rebellious, and unforgiving when they are judged. Others compromise their principles and let themselves be manipulated when they feel they are being judged. However, it should matter little to Christians whether or not they are judged or even taken to court (1 Cor 4:3).
Do you judge yourself? In Western society, we have been programmed to analyze and psychoanalyze ourselves indefinitely. We are an extremely introspective culture. We think about our thinking and constantly check how we feel. God's Word teaches us not to judge ourselves (1 Cor 4:3). We should be God-centered rather than self-centered.
Are you very aware that you'll be judged by God at your death and on Judgment Day? We will all be judged not only on our commissions but on our omissions, and not only on our actions but on our motives. The Lord "will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts" (1 Cor 4:5). "We should have confidence on the day of judgment" (1 Jn 4:17).
Many times our minds are on what others think of us or on what we think of ourselves. We should not be concerned about these things, but about what God thinks of us. To be a Christian means to be a fool for Christ (1 Cor 4:10), to die to self (Lk 9:23), and to live for Christ alone.
Prayer: Father, when I hear the word "judgmental," may I think of Judgment Day.
Promise: "When the days come that the Groom is removed from their midst, they will surely fast in those days." —Lk 5:35
Praise: Tim and Sharon home-school their five children and lead a Catholic home-school support group. Each year, the Lord inspires several families to begin home-schooling through their ministry.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 19, 2014
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