O Lord, How Great is Your Name,
You are worthy to be praised,
Your name is higher than all these things,
You are greater than these videos and games I put before you,
Music in my ears has become an idol,
Take from me these hands which have become unclean,
How stupid we have been to forget the wonder of your name,
You put others to shame, no athlete, artist, actor, actress, king, president, or any other compare with You
In the end all will see your name lifted high,
Our billboards will crumble,
Our homes will lie in ruin,
Faded and destroyed will be our mansions,
Black and dim will be our entertainment centers,
Our phones will sit unused, billions of text sent wasted for eternity
All will be drawn to You and your name
Why do they not see? Why do they not hear?
They have been blinded and confused
They have lost all wonder for your name
The mountains we thought we conquered, you built,
Your power is still evident in the great hurricanes which wipe away our filth,
That it did not take loss of lives to realize how blind we have been,
O God, let us surrender before you that you may spare those times,
But let your wonder be known, for You are God alone
These trophies we collect sit in dust,
Can we still run as swift? Can we still swim as fast?
What about this mountain? What about the sea?
They speak the might of God, our trophies are worthless before Him
They speak of the money they have, the things they buy
God clothes those in need, causes the food to grow,
provides for those in need
Your father buys you things,
Our Father has everything we need, And He is all we need
O Lord, How majestic is your name
Draw us back to you
Let our hearts not wander
Let your name be known throughout the earth
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
A Post for Parents
Let me start by saying I have no idea what it must be like to be a parent. But I know what it is like to be a child, to be man, to be a sinner, in desperate need of the grace of God. I know how much I tend to project my desires of what other people should be onto others. I may be doing that in this post. But I write in hope that this is only my heart, which is being wrenched from within me, crying out as I survey the community of North Canton and surrounding area in which God has placed me. He has placed me in this role, he has placed me here to guide. He must be the one guiding because without Him I am completely blind. Yet I look and see, see how often our personal tendencies project through. Parents, this is heartfelt from one who has experienced this personally as a child. And yet, this is also a message of hope, for a God who has restored the broken and frayed relationship I had.
Is your child loved because they are your child? Or are their certain things you really require of them for you to love them? Do they have to play sports? Perhaps it runs in your family, perhaps you were captain of the swim team, perhaps you are a marathon runner. Have you let these things define you in that it must also define your son or daughter? True, we all desire good things for those we love, but the best is Christ. And what if we must surrender these things to make room for Christ? Will we ourselves do it? Will we allow our children to do this? To make the choice to surrender these things?
Well, that's not how it works. They need this to get into this college...They need to be involved in these social clubs to get a good career. If these are the responses we make, that I make, I need to step back and ask whom I follow. Who my life is about. We must also stop and think about how our words impact those we love. While I trust you will still love your child without them doing these things, I hear stories of students who fear that if they do not do this, their parents will no longer have a reason to love them.
I sat on the bench of a court, watching my buddies play basketball for numerous years. I was on the team and not very good. And to me, I thought I had to be, had to at least play. Because it was then my dad loved me. Some sit and wish their parents were at a game, while perhaps you are busy at work, wanting to buy your family all the things your dad couldn't afford. Yes, things are nice. But honestly, when I get to this point in life, it is time I look back and wish I had more of. Was I happy for that gameboy where I logged hours playing Pokemon? Sort of. Do I wish I just had more time to go hang out with my father, back when I was still a child. Yes isn't a strong enough word. Do I wish I knew and could tell myself how much my father did love me. That his words were misunderstood by me, that I didn't have to be the best at sports.
Parents, my desire is you would spend time with your child. That you would love them for more than the sport they play, the grades they get. As Christ has loved us. I know I have no idea of what it means to be a father, but my heart breaks at the thought of making the mistake of trying to define who my child is outside of anything but Christ. The day I try and make my child live out what I wish I was, or what I think would be the best other than what Christ has made them to be, is the day I have failed. And I will fail. But I challenge myself, I challenge you, if you are truly in Christ, to love as Christ loves. To let your son or daughter know they are so much more than their grades, their athletics, what school they attend or what college they get in to, or what career they have chosen. For these things are worthless in the grand scheme.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." - 1 John 3:1
In Christ,
Brummy
Is your child loved because they are your child? Or are their certain things you really require of them for you to love them? Do they have to play sports? Perhaps it runs in your family, perhaps you were captain of the swim team, perhaps you are a marathon runner. Have you let these things define you in that it must also define your son or daughter? True, we all desire good things for those we love, but the best is Christ. And what if we must surrender these things to make room for Christ? Will we ourselves do it? Will we allow our children to do this? To make the choice to surrender these things?
Well, that's not how it works. They need this to get into this college...They need to be involved in these social clubs to get a good career. If these are the responses we make, that I make, I need to step back and ask whom I follow. Who my life is about. We must also stop and think about how our words impact those we love. While I trust you will still love your child without them doing these things, I hear stories of students who fear that if they do not do this, their parents will no longer have a reason to love them.
I sat on the bench of a court, watching my buddies play basketball for numerous years. I was on the team and not very good. And to me, I thought I had to be, had to at least play. Because it was then my dad loved me. Some sit and wish their parents were at a game, while perhaps you are busy at work, wanting to buy your family all the things your dad couldn't afford. Yes, things are nice. But honestly, when I get to this point in life, it is time I look back and wish I had more of. Was I happy for that gameboy where I logged hours playing Pokemon? Sort of. Do I wish I just had more time to go hang out with my father, back when I was still a child. Yes isn't a strong enough word. Do I wish I knew and could tell myself how much my father did love me. That his words were misunderstood by me, that I didn't have to be the best at sports.
Parents, my desire is you would spend time with your child. That you would love them for more than the sport they play, the grades they get. As Christ has loved us. I know I have no idea of what it means to be a father, but my heart breaks at the thought of making the mistake of trying to define who my child is outside of anything but Christ. The day I try and make my child live out what I wish I was, or what I think would be the best other than what Christ has made them to be, is the day I have failed. And I will fail. But I challenge myself, I challenge you, if you are truly in Christ, to love as Christ loves. To let your son or daughter know they are so much more than their grades, their athletics, what school they attend or what college they get in to, or what career they have chosen. For these things are worthless in the grand scheme.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." - 1 John 3:1
In Christ,
Brummy
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Conversational Basketball
I cut to the hoop around the "new kid" as his next words cut to my heart. "Yeah, sorry, I was distracted." He said. A scrawny going to be sixth grader, wearing a backwards hat too big for his head, a tight underarmor shirt over his scrawny upper torso, and knee high socks like he can't decide between being a soccer star or 3-point shooter. "I was distracted watching that kid play with his dad. My dad and I used to play all the time. I wish we still did. He's too busy now."
Barely know this kid, and he probably has no idea that he's opened up a whole other side of himself with only knowing me for about an hour. It's why I love being able to shepherd middle school students. Its such an amazing age, one which is so easily overlooked. They are forced into a corner, still kids, yet suddenly dealing with a whole world of emotions and situations which they have no idea how to face. They are told to deal, to act ten times their age, and often aren't given the light of day. And yet it is such a critical age, where choices are being made which WILL stick with them the rest of their life. Middle school is quickly becoming the time where these young men and women choose which path the rest of their life will be set on.
Don't get me wrong, high school is also critical, but in my belief middle school is the pivotal stage to lay a foundation. Often times, and I saw it with many a friend, if the connection is made and foundation laid in middle school, by freshmen year even, then its too late.
Students go from saying the most awkward, crazy statements, to deep profound questions which take one aback. They are at a stage where they are figuring things out, and still have a desire to have someone speak into their life.
Tonight I had a glimpse into the life of a young boy, telling me about all the sports he plays, pretty much any across the board. I had a glimpse that it was in an effort to impress and find achievement and importance. And then the statement about his dad, how ever since his dad's promotion he was always working. Always busy. It breaks my heart, and yet at the same time encourages me to see the openness and honesty he shared. Not trying to "hide" his problems, not even really realizing what he is experiencing. And being willing to talk about it, and for the opportunity I have to listen. And to be there in love, as others were there in love.
I have slowly realized that what is important in youth ministry, for the small amount of time I have been doing it, isn't about the programs. It isn't about having an awesome budget to do awesome events with hundreds of students. Its the moments playing one on one with a guy, the moments sitting at the church waiting for the midnight showing and having a student pour his heart out to me, the rides home drinking starbucks and talking. These are the moments, the times where its not about "stuff" but about the relationships. The time, genuine time, filled with genuine conversations. Its not about the "showyness" of youth ministry, about who can see how much I'm doing, how many students I have, how big of events I can throw. Thats like praying for everyone to see like the Pharisee in Matthew 6:5. I would rather have two students show up who I can truly pour into for an hour, then twenty-two show up and have to do crowd control. Don't get me wrong, I love the big events. But when it comes down to it, it's in the still, small moments, that God really moves. We tend to look in the thunderstorms of a youth rally, or the whirlwind of an all-nighter. But its in the quiet after, when the student is sitting alone, apart from the chaos and crowd, that opportunity presents. That allows one to invest their all, their genuine time, to that student.
Barely know this kid, and he probably has no idea that he's opened up a whole other side of himself with only knowing me for about an hour. It's why I love being able to shepherd middle school students. Its such an amazing age, one which is so easily overlooked. They are forced into a corner, still kids, yet suddenly dealing with a whole world of emotions and situations which they have no idea how to face. They are told to deal, to act ten times their age, and often aren't given the light of day. And yet it is such a critical age, where choices are being made which WILL stick with them the rest of their life. Middle school is quickly becoming the time where these young men and women choose which path the rest of their life will be set on.
Don't get me wrong, high school is also critical, but in my belief middle school is the pivotal stage to lay a foundation. Often times, and I saw it with many a friend, if the connection is made and foundation laid in middle school, by freshmen year even, then its too late.
Students go from saying the most awkward, crazy statements, to deep profound questions which take one aback. They are at a stage where they are figuring things out, and still have a desire to have someone speak into their life.
Tonight I had a glimpse into the life of a young boy, telling me about all the sports he plays, pretty much any across the board. I had a glimpse that it was in an effort to impress and find achievement and importance. And then the statement about his dad, how ever since his dad's promotion he was always working. Always busy. It breaks my heart, and yet at the same time encourages me to see the openness and honesty he shared. Not trying to "hide" his problems, not even really realizing what he is experiencing. And being willing to talk about it, and for the opportunity I have to listen. And to be there in love, as others were there in love.
I have slowly realized that what is important in youth ministry, for the small amount of time I have been doing it, isn't about the programs. It isn't about having an awesome budget to do awesome events with hundreds of students. Its the moments playing one on one with a guy, the moments sitting at the church waiting for the midnight showing and having a student pour his heart out to me, the rides home drinking starbucks and talking. These are the moments, the times where its not about "stuff" but about the relationships. The time, genuine time, filled with genuine conversations. Its not about the "showyness" of youth ministry, about who can see how much I'm doing, how many students I have, how big of events I can throw. Thats like praying for everyone to see like the Pharisee in Matthew 6:5. I would rather have two students show up who I can truly pour into for an hour, then twenty-two show up and have to do crowd control. Don't get me wrong, I love the big events. But when it comes down to it, it's in the still, small moments, that God really moves. We tend to look in the thunderstorms of a youth rally, or the whirlwind of an all-nighter. But its in the quiet after, when the student is sitting alone, apart from the chaos and crowd, that opportunity presents. That allows one to invest their all, their genuine time, to that student.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Path
I walk a path of rugged stones,
heard the cries of broken bones,
the wind it roard around my head,
cross paths which led to death,
The turns and twists led me astray,
but constantly the hand that lay,
led me back towards the light,
kept me safe from the night,
signs that pointed to sucess,
passed me by with each breath,
signs of fame caught my eye,
but in pain I walked by
Signs which said "Find A Love"
Signs that said "She is the One"
None of these paths were right,
Yet all of these drew my sight,
"When?" I cried with such a voice,
"When can I just make a choice?"
But the choice led me astray,
all these signs took me away
The path was broken, buried deep
My way was broken as I weep
These futures I thought were in sight,
Just left me misery in my plight
"Come near," I heard a whisper say,
breaking through the light of day
"Come near and rest, your trek complete
When you find time to rest your feet."
"I led you past the roads that end,
with wounds that you could never mend,
The road before is tough climb,
But continue on and you will find
"The road is hope before you now,
I will lead and show you how,
Those paths that now lay on the edge,
Will never bring you back again.
"But, My Love, Follow me.
Even when it hurts.
Even when you do not find,
what you perceived better in those signs.
There is no fame. There is no success. There is not what you perceive best. There is not a job. There is not a family. There is not a comfort. There is not an ease. But when this road stops, there is no dead end.
There is me.
There is Joy.
There all trials are behind.
There all sorrows are laid aside, and all Joy is complete.
My Love. Follow Me.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Survival
This was my last spring break. And I spent it with three amazing friends backpacking in the wilderness of West Virginia. We were so excited, spending days before looking at trails, checking out pictures of Dolly Sods Wilderness. None of these things at all prepared us for what was to come. We had some concept, each of us carrying our own notion of what it would be like to pack for three days in the wilderness. Yet when we got there, our preconceived notions were tested, our ability to fight to make it, even stay alive, was tested. Reflecting on it now, I see it mirrors a lot of everyday lives, including those of the middle school students I am in contact with every week.
We sit in our churches, our small groups, and we discuss with students Christ, we give glimpses of Christ and glimpses of the trials of the real world, but when they hit those trials they are much, much different than what they had conceived sitting in a church. We can speak of resisting temptation, we can share our stories of wrong choices, but it is only like looking at a photograph of a trail online. It can only give you a glimpse of what is to come. It can in no way completely prepare you. So how can we prepare?
The one thing which we were prepared was the concept of being in it together. Whether or not any of us knew where the trail was leading, we fought it out together. We were all cold, some colder than others. But we were in it together. We literally had to carry the pack of a friend when he admitted (since before he had refused us) that if we didn't help, he would pass out soon. I realized that we must break out from beyond the walls of the church and home groups, and be a buddy on the trail, encouraging and helping them cross the streams. Even when the boots slip and get wet, (a.k.a. they mess up) we can't leave them stranded in the wilderness. There is a huge difference between being there for someone when they are at "base camp" (the church, youth group, small group) and when they are out on the "trail" which is the real world. Once they are out in the wilderness, they must fight on. And they have two choices. Attempt to make it back to base camp, or keep wandering until they go numb and fade away. Too often we fear leaving "base camp" to risk getting muddy, getting cold, and getting our boots wet. Yet they need us, need us out their with them. Encouraging them to push their way through the woods, through the snow, to make it home again.
Students want someone who cares about them even when they seem to be stuck in the wilderness. They need someone to help them navigate not just pre-trip but during the trip and after the trip. We can't be afraid to be with them on the trail they walk, the paths they choose. Maybe we don't like it, but if we won't help them navigate on the trail then they will never find their way back again. It's easy to stay at "base camp" all the time. It's comfortable. It's without risk. But the beauty of being on the trail is a sense of adventure, a sense of risk, of the bond it forms, even when tempers flare, hopes fade, in the end, to know you walked alongside them, that you got your feet wet with them, that you carried their pack when they felt like they would collapse under it. That will mean more than a smiling face waving if they ever found their way back to base camp on their own.
Students need us to be involved in their lives outside of the church. To care about them, to be invested in them. Even if they resist help, to be willing and know that when they reach that breaking point, we are right there next to them to help carry them and continue to point them to Christ. To show them Christ. Not just tell them about it, and then make them wander on their own.
- Brummy
We sit in our churches, our small groups, and we discuss with students Christ, we give glimpses of Christ and glimpses of the trials of the real world, but when they hit those trials they are much, much different than what they had conceived sitting in a church. We can speak of resisting temptation, we can share our stories of wrong choices, but it is only like looking at a photograph of a trail online. It can only give you a glimpse of what is to come. It can in no way completely prepare you. So how can we prepare?
The one thing which we were prepared was the concept of being in it together. Whether or not any of us knew where the trail was leading, we fought it out together. We were all cold, some colder than others. But we were in it together. We literally had to carry the pack of a friend when he admitted (since before he had refused us) that if we didn't help, he would pass out soon. I realized that we must break out from beyond the walls of the church and home groups, and be a buddy on the trail, encouraging and helping them cross the streams. Even when the boots slip and get wet, (a.k.a. they mess up) we can't leave them stranded in the wilderness. There is a huge difference between being there for someone when they are at "base camp" (the church, youth group, small group) and when they are out on the "trail" which is the real world. Once they are out in the wilderness, they must fight on. And they have two choices. Attempt to make it back to base camp, or keep wandering until they go numb and fade away. Too often we fear leaving "base camp" to risk getting muddy, getting cold, and getting our boots wet. Yet they need us, need us out their with them. Encouraging them to push their way through the woods, through the snow, to make it home again.
Students want someone who cares about them even when they seem to be stuck in the wilderness. They need someone to help them navigate not just pre-trip but during the trip and after the trip. We can't be afraid to be with them on the trail they walk, the paths they choose. Maybe we don't like it, but if we won't help them navigate on the trail then they will never find their way back again. It's easy to stay at "base camp" all the time. It's comfortable. It's without risk. But the beauty of being on the trail is a sense of adventure, a sense of risk, of the bond it forms, even when tempers flare, hopes fade, in the end, to know you walked alongside them, that you got your feet wet with them, that you carried their pack when they felt like they would collapse under it. That will mean more than a smiling face waving if they ever found their way back to base camp on their own.
Students need us to be involved in their lives outside of the church. To care about them, to be invested in them. Even if they resist help, to be willing and know that when they reach that breaking point, we are right there next to them to help carry them and continue to point them to Christ. To show them Christ. Not just tell them about it, and then make them wander on their own.
- Brummy
Saturday, February 5, 2011
After You
This weekend I was blessed to partake in a youth weekend. It was a refreshing reminder and also a kick in the butt from God. I have lately been disheartened, at points stressed and seeming to lose focus. And yet, as I began to see that while nothing I could do (in fact, everything I tried to do) would make this weekend a failure, God used my weakness, the weakness of our class, and drew it together for an amazing 24 hours. While worrying it would flop because of only 17 students signing up, God drew those who were supposed to be there and there were around 70. It was a reminder that I am not to be in youth ministry because I want big numbers. If God wanted 17 there, I am to be a witness to those 17. If he wanted 70, I am to be a witness to those 70.
At times I don't know why God has chosen me. I am flawed, imperfect. Why would he love a being such as myself, who constantly loses track of him? And yet God has shown me how He is transforming me. How he has changed my attitude from one of MY youth group to GOD'S children whom he uses me to speak into.
My heart broke this weekend while playing in the worship band as I saw students crying out to our heavenly father. It broke for those who I could tell desired God but had nearly no opportunity to hear him. I rejoice in the new relationships made with some of these youth. I rejoice in hearing them talk of how God spoke to them this weekend, a weekend I was convinced would be an utter failure due to my personal bad attitude and often chaotic disunity. And yet, it is true. In our weakness, God's power is made perfect.
I am blessed to see a generation rising who is in love with God. I had been disheartened to see peers who claim to seek after God, myself included, and fail to live it out. And yet, the leadership present this weekend was desperately in love with God. God was there. God spoke to these students. And I am so blessed to have been a part of it. I am so blessed to be able to be used, despite how often I fail to live like Christ. Fail to love like Christ. And yet God uses those weaknesses, and is constantly transforming me. Praise the Lord for what He has done. I was blessed to be a part of this weekend, blessed to serve alongside such amazing brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray we would continue to live for Christ, to seek Him, to long for Him. To Love Him and Him along.
- Brummy
Friday, February 4, 2011
Who is the Judge?
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we diem we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Why do you pass judgement on your brother? Or you, who do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
You see, God appointed Christ as the judge. So why do I try so hard to play the judge? It's funny, as I sit here I thought about what makes us want to be something else. Is it by the way they constantly talk down and tell us what we are doing is wrong and we'll never make it to where we want to be? Don't do that. You know what the punishment for that is, right? See, when I want to play basketball I look around and see the talent the other players have. I watch as they discuss the hard work, the trials they pushed through. How they talked of encouragement and pushing through. How many Christians commit to be an example? Even though we are called to. I would rather be the judge than be the example. And yet, if I strived to set the example, to encourage and say, hey, you can get to this point! This is what you can do to get there. Push through, you can make it! And I must realize it will be God who transforms them, through Christ and the Holy Spirit. I cannot make them be or do anything. I cannot judge them. My words mean nothing. The words of Christ mean everything. I can speak truth. But when I try to let the truth I speak be my own words of judgement, I am no longer being like Christ. I can speak, this is what the Lord says. But when I tell someone, "Well, then you are going to hell for doing this." I have set myself as judge. God is Judge. Not me. Not you. Not the Pope. Not your pastor. Nor any man who is on this earth. God. Is. Judge.
Let us today commit to stop trying to play the judge. Rather let us love by being examples, through our deeds and the truth we don't just speak, but live. Let us encourage those who have not given their lives to Christ, that Christ is the only way. Let us not condemn them (playing judge) but encourage them to turn to something better, to Christ, who will transform them, shape them, and who in the end, will be the judge of all.
Why do you pass judgement on your brother? Or you, who do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God."
So then each of us will give an account to God. Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." (Romans 14:5-13 ESV)
I was reading this passage this morning in Romans and it struck me. I had read it before, but in some ways I saw it from a one-sided view. I saw it pointed at those in the church one would call "judgmental." How many of us attempt to determine how "real" someone else's faith is? This one drinks a lot. This one smokes. This one watches unclean movies. This one has been divorced three times. This person believes the earth is MILLIONS of years old! And I realize our American church is full of brothers and sisters passing judgement on one another. Over issues which DO NOT MATTER! Women as pastors? This is a doctrine (or opinion), not a dogma. (A Dogma is the highest level, it is a belief which is at the core of the Christian faith, and must be agreed upon, such as God as creator and redeemer)
Now I do not want this to be an argument over whether women should be in the church, whether it is ok to drink (after all, Jesus turned water into wine...yes, wine.) You see, I think the turn off to an upcoming generation is in some ways we have let the church become about these rules and understandings. We say "don't drink, don't smoke, don't watch those movies, don't have sex, hold this political stance." It has been about DOING instead of about BEING. The only thing we like to be is the judge.
"And he [Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead." (Acts 10:42 ESV)
You see, God appointed Christ as the judge. So why do I try so hard to play the judge? It's funny, as I sit here I thought about what makes us want to be something else. Is it by the way they constantly talk down and tell us what we are doing is wrong and we'll never make it to where we want to be? Don't do that. You know what the punishment for that is, right? See, when I want to play basketball I look around and see the talent the other players have. I watch as they discuss the hard work, the trials they pushed through. How they talked of encouragement and pushing through. How many Christians commit to be an example? Even though we are called to. I would rather be the judge than be the example. And yet, if I strived to set the example, to encourage and say, hey, you can get to this point! This is what you can do to get there. Push through, you can make it! And I must realize it will be God who transforms them, through Christ and the Holy Spirit. I cannot make them be or do anything. I cannot judge them. My words mean nothing. The words of Christ mean everything. I can speak truth. But when I try to let the truth I speak be my own words of judgement, I am no longer being like Christ. I can speak, this is what the Lord says. But when I tell someone, "Well, then you are going to hell for doing this." I have set myself as judge. God is Judge. Not me. Not you. Not the Pope. Not your pastor. Nor any man who is on this earth. God. Is. Judge.
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18 ESV)
Let us today commit to stop trying to play the judge. Rather let us love by being examples, through our deeds and the truth we don't just speak, but live. Let us encourage those who have not given their lives to Christ, that Christ is the only way. Let us not condemn them (playing judge) but encourage them to turn to something better, to Christ, who will transform them, shape them, and who in the end, will be the judge of all.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7 ESV)
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