NO JUDGMENT by MARSHA BURNS: 

What I like most about the Internet and email is that we don't see each other.  Often, I know people by name only.  I can't see what color their skin is.  I don't know if they are short or tall, fat or skinny, attractive or not by current standards.  I don't see what they are wearing.  I don't know if they are rich or poor, nor do I know their level of education or employment.  I can't see their defects.  I usually don't know if they are single, married, separated, divorced, or widowed.  I don't know religious or political affiliation.  I only know things about them that they choose to share with me.  How liberating!

Small Straws word:  It is time to become aware of your subconscious judgments.  Pay attention to thoughts that just pop up that categorize people and assign a value either above or below where you think you are.  My love is the same for all people regardless of race, gender, or stature.  I do not look at your outward appearance or worldly achievements, I only see your spirit and your heart.  John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

1 Corinthians 13:12-13  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

What we see or know about other people may be dim or relatively non-existent, but that might be the best way to keep us from judging them.  The scriptures warn us about making judgments, which is a function of sowing and reaping.

Luke 6:37  "Judge not, and you shall not be judged.  Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

We will be judged by how we treat others.

We live in a world of division and contention because people judge one another by their own standards.  Prejudice prevails because we tend to believe that where we are and what we have physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, religiously, politically, or ideologically is superior.  But I say to all of us that when we stand in the presence of God, none of that will matter.

We can love because God loves us.

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Love is the most important spiritual standard of every generation.  When we know God and have His Spirit, we will produce the evidence in our lives manifesting as the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23a  But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Let's grow some fruit!

Faith Tabernacle
https://ft111.com
ft.kremmling@gmail.com