Who is the judge?

I have a lot on my mind and heart right now...but at the top of it is something that I think a lot of people struggle with, and I know I am one of the worst for this. I hope this post comes out the way I want it to...

Who are we here on earth to please?

While I think we can all accept that no one is perfect, there are some people that like to judge other's faith and actions according to their trials and struggles.

I'm a Baptist, and I have grown up learning that we are to love one another, as God loves us (John 13:34). While I may not agree with other people's actions, I also do not think that I am able to judge them for things that they struggle with, may interpret differently, or believe differently. BUT - I will still love and support them all the same, because I know that God loves them for who they are, no matter what they do or don't do. Isn't that what we are called to do?

While God does mention the concept of conviction and the ability to go to a brother or sister in Christ and discuss with them things that you think they are being mislead on or not seeking God's will, you do that in a loving and supportive way, where you are just bringing your concerns forward so that it is something that that person has now heard and they can take those words and do with them however they feel. It may turn out that they take your concerns and do something, or they may not. That's not up to you - but you did your part in talking to them with sincere love and patience and support. You do not do that in a way that makes them feel "lesser" then you, or that they are being a horrible person. That will just turn them away from the church, and that is not a way that God would do it.

I know that I'm not perfect. I have always appreciated those in my life that will discuss things with me with love and support. While also having those that have thrown things in my face to disregard my faith and make me feel like I am not seeking out God's will for my life.

I am here on Earth today because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for my life. I am here on Earth to honour God through my actions, words, and thoughts. If I am not doing that, then let God himself be the judge of that.

But we should love one another, and be there to support each other through the trials and struggles, as well as through the joyful and wonderful moments too.

I may not have gotten everything across in the nice manner that I would have liked, but this has been on my heart more and more lately as I deal with my own stuff, see others dealing with stuff, and see how others are interacting in a way that is not how God would do it, but they are representing the faith through those actions.

We are called to love, so love. That's the bottom line.