Your New Job

Got a new permanent job for us.

It is more satisfying than our old job.

The new job: “Fruit Inspector”

Our former job: “Judging”

We wouldn’t be wrong to think of it as the default setting of every human. Jesus speaks of our natural tendency to judge our neighbors in Matthew 7…

Judging Others

Take the new job. You do it along with other daily work, as you live life.

Don’t fret. Let go of guilt. Resign the old job: judging others.

There is peace and freedom when we let go of the condemnation of others.

We do not lose anything as we cease to judge others. Remember, we are not more righteous when we judge others. Censure, and slander are bi-products of our judging.

We so often judge one another for trivial things.

Truth is, we actually do our neighbors an injustice when we judge. None of us are mind readers. None of us know the inner story. We never think about that. Jesus does. And He calls us to not judge others. Jesus is the ultimate judge. Unlike you and me, He is completely righteous and just.

Instead, Jesus calls us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. He can. He has all authority to do so.

Take instead the new job.

Become a fruit inspector.

This means we look for the good, the fruit God produces in another person’s life. The fruit of the Holy Spirit of God is: love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” As fruit inspectors we get to look for the good in our neighbors. There is much less stress in that.

The final authority of the universe-Jesus-directs us to “not judge.” In the 16th verse of this same chapter (7) Jesus gives us this instruction about how to be a “fruit inspector.” It’s simple-look for the fruit.

[16] “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16

One more-Jesus, the One who loves us best and most, gives us another instruction as we seek to change jobs…

A fruit inspector always begins inspection with self. Is there a “log” in our eye? We start with self-examination. What is the condition of the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives? Is the fruit visible?

Then, when we do look for the fruit of the Spirit in the lives others we do so with love. That’s right love. Love your neighbor with same gentle examination you give yourself.

 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to become fruit inspectors. It’s the best earthly job you and I can have. It’s authorized by Jesus. Your neighbor will appreciate you for it. You and I can relax, and let God be the JUDGE.

He always has been since before the beginning of time.

Psalm 96:13b

    … “He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.”