Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Judging Ourself

1 Cor. 11:31-32 – ‘For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord’.

Who likes to be judged? I know that I sure don’t! But judgment happens to everyone, one way or another. The good news is, we have options regarding who will judge us, and how we will be judged. In fact, we have the option of judging ourselves! The bad news is, judging ourselves is not easy. To judge ourselves means to look at ourselves objectively and detect our own shortcomings and sinful condition. That is very painful indeed.

The next option is to be judged and disciplined by the Lord. At this level, God, after judging us, brings us into a time of chastening. Chastening means to be corrected, and to have our character molded by others through reproof and admonition. And many times it accomplished through the affliction of evils and calamities. None of that sounds pleasant, does it?

If we fail to judge ourselves, and if we do not yield to the chastening of the Lord, the final option is to be condemned with the world. To be condemned with the world means to receive judgment that is worthy of punishment, together with the ungodly multitude, which includes all of humanity that are estranged from God and hostile to the cause of Christ. That is such a sobering thought.

Consider your options. Which type of judgment would you rather receive? (RL)