Being Thankful for God's Grace and Forgiveness.

Matthew 7:1-3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Judging Others

7 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. ² For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. ³ Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s^[a] eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?

In my fifty-two years on this earth, I have witnessed many elections. With each new election you begin to see society state that there is no way that you can be a Christian, if you vote for a certain candidate.

This is not exclusive to just one party, and again it shows society wanting to judge others. When we judge others, when we attempt to deem who is worthy for God’s grace and the kingdom of heaven, we attempt to take the place of God in the “who is worthy business.”

The most important topic that all followers of the cross must follow is this: Are you worthy, are you in right relationship with God? What steps have you taken to share the good news, rather than to condemn with it?

What is the cause that you are using to justify another’s unworthiness to be a follower of God? Are you making an earthly cause override God’s heavenly need for relationship, as well as His Son’s death on the cross for our unworthiness?

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let us be thankful for Christ’s act of forgiveness on the cross, and let us be thankful that God is in charge of who is and isn’t worthy. Let us make our pledge this Thanksgiving and upcoming Advent season, to become a people that forgives more and accuses and judges less.

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the Bounty and Blessing of God.

Pastor Tim.