With friends like that…

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, He was with God in the beginning. It boggles my mind to know that Jesus was the Prince of Glory and chose to come to a dusty little town born of parents that were inexperienced and poor! He gave up the shimmering garments of heaven for swaddling clothes and the bed of a King for a manger in an animal’s stall. He grew to be a man and chose a band of ordinary men to be His disciples. Jesus invited them to walk with Him and promised to make them fishers of men. They were with Him daily and saw all He did, from feeding the five thousand and opening blinded eyes and healing the lame to raising the dead and eating with tax collectors. They saw him change water into wine at a wedding, talk with the woman at the well telling her the secrets of her life they really KNEW him. They knew the Lord. Now see Peter standing outside of the place where Jesus was being questioned and hear him DENY ever even knowing the Lord, now see Judas as he walks in to get money in exchange for Jesus’ life. Judas took the 30 pieces of silver, they were heavy in the bag and felt so good to jingle. I see him looking into the bag, just checking not able to believe his good luck! He went to the Garden and planted the most famous kiss of all times on the cheek of our Lord. In this day and time we not only deny our Lord every day through things that we allow in ourselves, but we deny the Lord any time that we hurt each other. I don’t have to agree with your theology to love you! If you have sinned it is none of my business to correct you in words but by living a life in your presence that will convict you and make you want to live a better life. It will certainly do no good for you or me if I choose to talk about you, run you down, or constantly try to ruin your reputation. 2 Cor. 10:12 We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.  When you begin to criticize others you are saying that you, yourself, are superior, else how could you make such a judgment? Be merciful you may find yourself in a situation where you fall short and others will be judging YOU! Luke 6:37-38″Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity! We are told here in the Word that if we judge someone then we set ourselves up for judgment by the same measure! So best keep your lip zipped and maybe someone will return the favor! Don’t let it be said of you as it could be of Judas, “with friends like you, who needs enemies?”