Don’t judge before time

HUMAN relationships are very important to our development and wellbeing.

As we start a new year, we want to take a stock of how we have treated fellow beings in the past year.

We will equally interrogate how we have been treated.

The human ecosystem thrives when we respect each other. Treat others with human dignity.

We are not naively assuming that there are no malcontents and architects of evil.

As a rule of thumb, wisdom teaches us to regard others as we regard others.

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The Bible puts it this way in Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”

This dictum of love is repeated in the New Testament.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:12, “Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Because of the fall of humanity, jealous and envy reign in this fallen world. We need the grace of God to regard others with humility.

There are classes in society and we often prematurely harshly judge others who seem to be lower than us as being failures.

We face the danger and humiliation of one day sheepishly apologising to those we treated as lesser beings.

People have God their Creator to call upon and cry to for mercy and turnaround.

Here’s food for thought from American playwright and entrepreneur Wilson Mizner: “Be nice to the people you meet on the way up; they are the same people you meet on the way down.”

What we term success differs. I was raised by generous parents.

Faith and ministry fortified my understanding of success.

For me using financial and material resources indices, I will be successful if I give out more than I receive and acquire.

Amassing wealth is total failure for me. I have lived and still do by the benevolence of God sent people.

Someone else’s success is billions in the account and countless properties to their name. I don’t have problems with that, I stay in my lane and bequeath a good name that was passed to me.

It’s common and maybe natural for pupils to deem those less intelligent and achieving less grades as failures.

Life happens and sometimes those who always got lower grades do well and raise their families well.

We will be scorning ourselves and laughing at ourselves when we mock someone for error and wrong choices.

Because someone is divorced isn’t reason to cast aspersions.

Some dropped out of school because they were impregnated.

Childishly we thought they were never going to make it in life, whatever making it means.

Time proved us wrong when we looked for employment at their companies after university and college.

I beseech you, please don’t be quick to conclude in matters beyond you.

You may turn around and discover that they’re the owners of the house or building where you are lodging or you’re a tenant.

Matthew 20:16 advises, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

Without the wisdom of God, we don’t know how God is dealing with our neighbours.

In their darkest hour, give them your hand.

We may try to figure out without divine inspiration why some are suffering and we usually regret our assumptions.

For you believers always value others above yourself.

Job’s friends had theories about his predicament.

He was the last to laugh so to speak when God showed Himself strong.

We read Job 42:8, New Living Translation, “So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.”

God rescues and restores people. Don’t judge before time.

Because someone made wrong decisions and pursued bad choices and are reaping the rewards doesn’t mean that they’re going to be in that state forever.

You are flagging at me for a lift today, I will be stupid and foolish to conclude that you’re a good for nothing beggar because tomorrow you will be kind enough to take me on board your private jet.

God forgives and works around to see people rise again. There’s so much hatred and bitterness even in the church.

People take wrong actions and paths and if and when they cry to God, He hears them and they get back on their feet.

Before the day of judgement please remember 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

Don’t call Sarah barren, leave it to God.

The resurrection life of Jesus Christ is there for those who believe.

Don’t worry if we laugh at you and mistreat you, cry to your God, He’s listening attentively to such people as you.

I challenge you though, when you go to the top, forgive us for we know not what we are doing.

We repent of treating others harshly and enter 2025 as better people.

With tolerance and humility, happy new year.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.

• All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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