when we label people, we freeze people and we stop moving towards them
? Instead of remaining complex subjects, judging objectifies people
into caricatures and cardboard cut outs. And when disciples of Jesus
stop moving towards people – the Kingdom of God is diminished.
It's interesting… the Scriptures say all kinds of things about
judging. In one place Jesus says, "Don't judge and you yourself will
not be judged. Don't condemn people and you in turn will not be
condemned. Give generously and, 'a good measure, pressed down, shaken
together & running over…' will be given to you in return. Forgive
others and you will be forgiven.
It's like as though judgement & labelling people are so engrained in
everything we do, that the only possible way to undo it is to do it's
opposite.
Jesus goes further. He says if someone hates you, love them - if they
curse you – bless them. If someone abuses you, pray for them. If
anyone hits you on one side of your face, offer them the other side as
well. The list goes on & on until the picture that is formed is one of
overwhelming openness & generosity & movement towards people.
Jesus says, 'If you love only those who love you, how is that
different – even evil men love those who love them'. Jesus says that
in his Kingdom, the thing that defines his disciples is not how they
respond to those who love them but how they respond to those who don't
love them – to those who even despise them.
You know, I used to think that when Jesus said 'Love your enemies' he
was speaking in exaggerated language about extravagantly loving your
neighbour. Yet now I think Jesus is just saying, "Don't judge, don't
label, give & forgive generously – love your enemies !" It's that
straightforward !
That we use our judgement to make decisions for living is natural
however when disciples of Jesus judge and label others, they freeze
people, they stop moving towards people and the Kingdom of God is
diminished.
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