Forgiveness, Judgment and Words

I have lied.
I have done drugs.
I have had a kid out of wedlock.
I've done pre-marital sexual acts.
I have cussed people out.
I have been decietful.
I've cheated on homework.
I've cheated on a test.
I've manipulated others.
I've hurt somebody else intentionally.
I've judged her.
I've held a grudge.
I've drank alcohol; and a lot of it.
I've backstabbed my best friend.
I've stolen.
I've broken the law.
I've lusted.
I've committed homosexual acts.
I've been arrogant and prideful.
I've broken the rules.
I've dishonored my parents.
I've gossiped.
I've murdered.
I've committed adultery.
I've broken a promise.
I have been greedy.
I have put other things before God--I've been an idolater.
I have slandered his name.
I have ripped someone off.
Who am I?
I AM JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS.
Jesus has taken on all of our sins. He did not commit them--but He embraced them and held them on the cross for us. He has been in our place and become fully the flesh for us.

 
Hebrews 2:
Warning to Pay Attention 1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Jesus Made Fully Human5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:  “What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
   a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
   you crowned them with glory and honor
 8 and put everything under their feet.”[b][c] In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g] 12 He says,  “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
   in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h] 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.”[i] And again he says,  “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j]  14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

I have personally been judged many times for sins I have committed. Several things that I am not proud of have gotten out about me. I am very far from perfect. I have made many, many mistakes, some that I wish I never had. However, because of them I have had to experience healing, forgiveness, and the LOVE of Chirst like I never would have been able to. "God works for the good of those who ove Him." OH, How true that is!!!
--> you might be trying and failing-- don't give up because of discouragement and if you think others think you're a bad person because of what you do or have done-- don't allow others judgement to hold you down.
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”" 1 Samuel 16:7

Sometimes God teaches you from the most unexpected situations, from the most unexpected people and at the most unexpected times.

Strong enough lyrics:
You must You must think I'm strong To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me Forgive me if I'm wrong But this looks like more than I can do On my own
I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be I give up I'm not stong enough Hands of mercy won't you cover me Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough Strong enough For the both of us


I think about the Story of Job. --> people thought he must be SINNING because of the bad things happening to Him!

How do you respond when you feel like the world has condemned you??

 This was how Job responded.
"As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. "

James 5:11

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. "
James 1:2-18

Lyrics from Rise:
Yes I will rise
Out of these ashes rise
From this trouble I have found
And this rubble on the ground
I will rise
... Cause He Who is in me
Is greater than I will ever be
And I will rise

 We all make mistakes, or we may not have even done something, but our faith and where we really measure up are not determined by human standards -- Jesus vs Pharisees. Don't allow other peoples thoughts or words hold power over you or dictate your next actions. "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."
-Elbert Hubbard

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." 1 Corinthians 1:25-27

Don't be discouraged-- God takes the worst thing in our lives--whether they were our own actions or caused from outside sources--and they can become beautiful and great things for God's purpose.

Side note: Words are very powerful (so we need to watch our own and our own judgment):
"The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit. "
Proverbs 18:21

Then tie it all with Hebrews 3:13:  "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. " <3

I challenge us to look for the good things in others--to give others the benefit of the doubt. And if we see those who are judged, or down, or struggling--instead of hurting them with our words, lets uplift them and encourage them-- for Christ's sake because HE IS THE ONE WHO BEARS OUR SINS NOW-- we are freed, and we should share that freedom with the weak, lost, and suffering.

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. "
Galatians 6:1-2

This is another command too-- so even with those we see who say they are Christians, but see that their actions don't necessarily prove it, we are called to this: "8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. " Galatians 6:8-10
We will still SOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SIN, BUT, we can encourage the work of Christ regardless the situation. We are called to DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST WHETHER THEY ARE DOING A PERFECT JOB AT IT OR NOT.

<3 Hope you enjoyed. Sorry for a little bit of the scattered portions. If you have questions about any of the references I didn't go into much detail about, such as Job, please let me know! :)