Judge Not

On Sunday we looked at James 2.1-13 and the temptation all of us face to show partiality towards those most like us and to avoid or mistreat those who are different.  In my experience, that is a universal human temptation.  At its root, giving in to this temptation is what Jesus warns us about when he says, “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" (Matthew 7.1-2).  

Every day you and I are surrounded by people who are different than we are - in how they think, vote, live, talk or spend their free time.  What are we to do?  Let's be honest, it's hard to get along with those who are different than we are.  It's hard to welcome them into our lives, listen to their stories and just plain "put up" with some of the things that make them "different" from us.

Several weeks ago I linked an article to my Facebook page written by Shane L. Windmeyer (well-known LGBT activist) about his growing friendship with Dan Cathy, president and COO of Chic-Fil-A.  And we all remember the controversy with Chic-Fil-A last summer, right?  I just re-read the article to make sure I hadn't missed anything and I am even more impressed than before with Dan Cathy's actions - he is a follower of Christ and a shining example what it might look like to show mercy instead of judgment to those who are different than we are.  At one point Windemeyer compares  his relationship with Cathy to his relationship with his Pentecostal uncle, who has strong convictions very much contrary to his (Windemeyer's) lifestyle and belief system, and yet deeply loves and cares for him and his partner. Windemeyer writes (italics, mine),

My relationship with Dan is the same, though he is not my family.  Dan, in his heart, is driven by his desire to minister to others and had to choose to continue our relationship throughout this controversy.  He had to both hold to his beliefs and welcome me into them.  He had to face the issue of respecting my viewpoints and life even while not being able to reconcile them with his belief system.  He defined this to me as "the blessing of growth."  He expanded his world without abandoning it.  I did, as well.

Without letting go of his convictions, Dan Cathy found a way to show mercy instead of judgment, hospitality instead of favoritism.  What might that look like in your life and mine?  Most of us do not likely find ourselves in relationships with others as seemingly diametrically opposed to our way of life as Windemeyer's is to Cathy's, but the temptation to judge others, divide ourselves from them and show favoritism to those most like us is still very much with us.

Loving and Gracious God,
Teach us to love as purely as you love us, to show grace and mercy to others as you have done with us.  Help us to rise above the temptation to show partiality and to dive deeply into that mercy that truly triumphs over judgment, especially in the lives of those most different from us.  Amen.