I don’t think there is a more apt scripture lesson for today’s covid-era Thanksgiving celebrations, yours, mine or others (whether small or large, mixed family units or basic bubbles) than this: “Don’t Judge“.

I don’t think that we can stand on our idealized thoughts of ourselves doing everything right and others being wrong – we are all a mix of each – we must take the specks out of our eyes (Matthew 7:3). We are all in this together and we are all human and certainly in a broken world. Yes, spiritual battles abound, and the Bible instills in us that God loves us ENORMOUSLY enough to forgive us – SO MUCH to give His only Son for us – Forgiven and THEREFORE we are to forgive others. Forgive and Don’t Judge.

There is no one who can love as much as He loves us, individually and collectively. We are loved and therefore we love. Love, Forgive, and Don’t Judge.

We are not perfect. We are not even close. We are fraught within a spiritual battle over the world. We must participate in this fight by praying and not only put on the armor of God, but also choosing offensive tactics of speaking and believing in the Word of God, the most powerful of all. The Word IS Jesus, the Word made flesh. We must believe in Jesus to win our ultimate battle. Believe, Love, Forgive, and Don’t Judge.

We Believe – as God believed in us first.

We Love – as God loved us first.

We Forgive – as God forgave us first.

We Judge – whoops – we are human and we do judge… perhaps if we spend time counting blessings we would run out of time to look at what others do.

God could judge us now – BUT, if we believe in Jesus and Salvation, we are judged only to know how deeply He needs to save us. End times may be tough and we want to be in the sheep rather than the goats, so we want to take Jesus as our ONLY WAY, apologize, and recommit to LOVE another day. 

Today the Way is looking for you, so we best try not to be a judge of the people in the fray. We have a better Way. Let us say: we simply Loved, Forgave and Believed in this day. 

Thanksgiving – giving thanks for our Way.

Amen

Matthew 7:1-2   Jesus said:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”