If we want to be like Jesus, we must stop judging our neighbors and start demonstrating His love to them.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

If there is a verse that points to our free will and the degree to which God allows us to take part in our own spiritual growth, this is it:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God does not expect us to be perfect (whole, complete, mature) as He is perfect, but we are IN TRAINING to think and act like Him. Perfection will come when we are out of these bodies and in our glorified bodies. In the meantime, let’s not chastise ourselves or others for not “getting life right.” We are all works in progress and are on our own individual journeys with Him.

Jesus said,

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

Paul said,

⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14:4

Let’s focus on finding ways to show love to our neighbor. In doing so, we will complete the Gospel:

¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10
¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

Abba, You have made it so simple, yet we have made it so complicated. If we would love our neighbors “where they are at, not where we want them to be,” we would be so much like You that people would run to You, Jesus! May it be so. Amen.