The Standard of Judgment

Scripture: But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Observation: This is the "I am weak but he is strong" metaphor. However, this is also an explanation of why God has chosen that model. We are weak - like a clay jar that could easily be broken by a stone, a fall, a knock against the table ... almost anything. But when the power of God is within, we can withstand all sorts of pain, attacks, abuse, and misuse, and still not break. Therefore, when a Christian suffers and yet prevails, this is evidence of the strength of God at work in their lives.

Application: I struggle with two sides of this equation. One side is that strong Christians exhibit Christ through their response to hardships. The other side is that weak Christians do, in fact, crumble, and therefore are exhibiting a weak faith. However, that is clearly both a judgmental and flawed attitude toward others.

Judgment of others begins with believing that I myself am the "baseline" for comparison. Thus, the way I would react to bad life circumstances - death of a loved one, loss of a job, financial hardship - is the "standard". Anyone doing better than I would therefore is 'strong', and anyone doing worse is 'weak'.

That's a terrible, judgmental attitude by me.

First, I have NO idea how I would react in many circumstances. Second, I have no idea what combination of events exist now and in the past in other's lives to evaluate their reaction to any one event. Third, I am completely flawed myself and thus there is no way I am a valid measuring stick in the first place.

This is all at the core of my judgment of others - myself as the standard. When I say it now, I cannot even fathom the arrogance that statement contains. How could I possible consider myself to be some level of earthy norm against which God can evaluate the faith, strength, love, compassion, work, and mercy of others?? The very thought that I would do that is appalling.

As the scripture says, as we judge others, so will we be judged. And I now see what that means: As I judge others against the standard of 'me', so will I be judged against that standard of 'him' ... Jesus. I will fail, and fail big-time. This is why only Jesus can defend me, for only he measures up.

This is a tremendous thought! As I am inclined to judge others, I need to think about how I will be judged compared to Jesus. When I see I will fail, then I need to remove any concept of a 'norm' or 'standard' from the context of any other person, and see them for only who they are ... someone who is much, much less than Jesus, yet immensely loved by God anyway.

EXACTLY the same as me.

Prayer: Lord, I have done this often, but please forgive me for judging others. It is a flaw and a sin I struggle with daily. I ask that you remove the tendency from me, and help me to focus on the truth ... the love you have for others. May I see others more with your eyes, and stop comparing them to myself. Or when I do, may I see the truth - that I am far, far less than they. Amen.