DAY 23: Blaming Others

We Hate To Admit It, But God Knows Best

Matthew 25:31-46

…he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left…


When considering the time typically called the Judgment Day, it's frightening for us to think that we might be condemned by God. We've all had fears of what could happen to our souls after death. But we've also felt pretty smug and self-satisfied because sometimes it looks like we've done a pretty good job of pleasing God, and it's only the "bad" people who will get this "eternal fire" they deserve.

Both of these ways of thinking don't get us anywhere because of the nature of this last judgment--it's God's judgment to make. Nowhere in the Bible does God list the name of every person or group of people sorted out into God's own "sheep" or the "goats."

There's a lot more here than just playing the blame game. When we judge others, we are in danger of marginalizing people, that is, considering them to be unimportant or of no value in the world. Our attitude about judgment affects our lives as Christians. We are called to interact and share the witness of the Gospel with everyone we meet. God, after all, does know best, and we know we can place our trust in his judgment because his love and grace have a saving power beyond our understanding.


Is there a person or group of people that I've been unfairly judgmental toward? Who are they?


Prayer:
Loving and gracious God, though I don't completely understand your ways, help me to reflect in my life the love you show to your creation. Amen


Action step:
Find out more about a person or a group of people you might have "marginalized" in the past. Read an article about culture in Iraq, learn more about people who are in prison, explore why so many people are unemployed right now, or someone how they ended up homeless. For every issue or problem you learn more about, also envision possible solutions and responses that are helpful, positive, lasting, and respectful.

contributed by Melissa May