Judging and Labels

Labels... not product labels, but labels we place on other human beings are always accompanied with judgment. Labels are descriptive and help define our world, but when used on people are they used for good or to limit? Labels either include or exclude. They say you are either like me, or you are not like me; you are one of us, or you are one of them.

A few things I believe:
1. We are all different. God is the God of diversity.
2. I cannot be you. You cannot be me. We are each to be the best "me" we can be to glorify God.
3. Everyone ... everyone ... hear me, now ... everyone is a child of God. Every person was created, designed and gifted with life all in the image of God.
4. When we label God's children, we divide God's family. When we cut some one out, when the label we place makes them "THEM," all God's people are diminished and pulled further from the Lord.

How does it further the building of the Kingdom of God and move THEM closer to God when WE who claim to be God's people are excluding THEM because they are not like US, believe exactly like US, worship like US? When the Lord Jesus calls us to follow are we not being called out of the world, to be different, to live a holy (label) life? Does not the Lord send us back into the world as the people of God to share the love we have found in Jesus Christ?

Any and all judging(morals, ethics, govenmental laws) are to be under girded by love, not revenge, not retribution, but with an eye and a heart towards compassionate reconciliation. Yes, and sometimes tough love is necessary, because some hearts grow very hard. Ones motives and compassion are especially important in these instances.

In other words, the ultimate goal is always to include rather than exclude in a way that leads people to the truth. The truth: The Son of God, Jesus Christ, willingly gave his life to show us the depth of God's love, remove all barriers that separate us from God's love (forgive our sin), and reconcile - bring us back - heal our relationship with this God who loves us more than we can ever imagine.

Once our spirits and lives have been renewed, our job - as much as humanly possible - is to be the Christ-like, God-like love to the world. Tough job, but increasingly possible for those who seek to live lives centered in Christ.

We have all had labels placed on US.
Think about the labels you place on others.
Regardless of what someone else does or says,
how are you embodying the love of Jesus Christ?

- Rich