students of jesus

Forty-five years ago John Lennon asked us to use our imagination. He challenged us to imagine a world with no heaven, no countries, no possessions, nothing to kill or die for, and no religion, too. I will freely admit my imagination is too limited to answer his call. I have, however, bent my imagination toward a world without judgment and condemnation.

Jesus urged us to listen carefully: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” I hear his words as a freedom-call to break away from judgment. Too often our religious world-view becomes a calling to judge others: their life-choices, their doctrine, their faith expressions. We think we are doing God’s work when in truth judgment is the way of the world. We swim in a sea of judgment; we are soaked with argument, division, factions and strife. 

But imagine there’s no judgment—I wonder if you can.

The apostle Paul saw the Kingdom gospel as a call toward a world free from human judgment:

“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

I find beauty and balance in Paul’s words: there is a Judge, and a time of accounting—but we are not the Judge, and now is not the time.

Judgment brings death, but not in the way we expect: each time we judge the world around us we bring death upon ourselves. Judgment leads us to feel-good prayers that begin, “I thank you, God, that I am not like other men . . .” Judgment causes us to forget that we struggle not against flesh and blood, that our conflict is elsewhere. Judgment causes us to divide the world into Us and Them, when in fact we all found ourselves in the same boat, and needed the grace of God to lift us from the sinking ship.

Human judgment is our attempt to become a god. Human judgment is the way of the world and a tool of the Adversary. Beware the gavel of judgment in the hands of a fallen world—we will always be found wanting: not smart enough, not rich enough, not pretty enough. The judgment of this age looks only on the surface. The judgment of this age knows nothing of secret sacrifice and humble hearts. The judgment of this age is concerned only with results.

I believe in judgment—but only from the perfect Judge who truly knows and sees the intent of every heart. My only hope is in a great and final Judge who overrules the verdict of this world. This world pronounces judgment; High Court of heaven overrules it. I know I will face a judgment at the end of days, but I rest in the comfort that the only one with the right or ability to judge is the very one who longs to welcome me home.