John 7:24 (NIV)
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge
correctly.
An elderly woman wrote in to nationally-syndicated
columnist, Dear Abby, because she had done something that many of us do:
wrongfully judge someone based on first impressions.
The woman felt awful because she had terribly pre-judged
a male neighbor, simply by how he looked. When he first moved into the
neighborhood, and she saw him all dressed in black; even black nail polish and
eye-liner, she marked him as a "devil worshiper " Months later, his
long hair was completely shaved off, and her next harsh conclusion was that he
must now be a radical "skinhead!"
It was only when she took the time to actually get to
know her neighbor, that she learned he attended the local university, and was
merely dressed in costume for an event the first time she spotted him, and that
his long hair was now missing because he regularly donated his fast-growing
locks to a charitable association which uses human hair to make wigs for cancer
patients who have lost their hair.
The woman felt bad for judging a book by its cover, and
wrote in to warn others of doing the same.
How thankful we should be that God does not judge us the
way mankind often does; only by what is seen on the outside. Our Heavenly
Father is more concerned about what's going on in the inside; within our hearts
and minds, as it is these which control our actions and what comes out of our
mouths.
Do you love God and His Son, Jesus Christ? Do you treat
others as you yourself wish to be treated?
If yes, you do well, but if not, it is never too late to
take that first positive step toward salvation.
Reach out your hand whether it is yellow, black, red,
brown or white, for God is the Master Painter who created all these beautiful
colors of the spectrum!
Extend out those fingers regardless of whether they have
long or short nails; are adorned with color or not, for God wants your love,
not your nail polish, fashions trends, hair styles, or makeup techniques.
Dear Lord, please forgive us if we have been shallow, and
in our criticism of others. We ask You to help us see others as You do. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.
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