PRAISE PROMPT ••• Balaam was an Old Testament prophet who is famous for his donkey.
When the Moabites tried Balaam to hire to curse the Israelites, God used the donkey to speak to Balaam, so he would remember who was in charge of this meeting.
Most of the time when this story is discussed, the emphasis is put on how God worked a miracle through the donkey (and I admit, I always read the donkey’s part of the conversation in an Eddie Murphy voice).
But today, I want to focus on something Balaam said in Numbers 23:8b: “How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned?”
Let’s flip forward to the words of Jesus in John 12:47b, “I have come to save the world and not to judge it.”
In others translations, it says “not to condemn it.”
Make no mistake about it – we’re going to be judged.
But that is still forthcoming.
God’s Word promises that believers will be judged on their works (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), and those who reject Jesus will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement (Revelation 20:11-15).
The time Jesus spent on earth was to offer salvation before final judgment unfolds.
So with that in mind, let’s return to what Balaam said.
“How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned?”
Every one of us does this.
Maybe not on purpose, but how often do we look at others… what they wear, what they say, what they do… and make assumptions about them?
Since Jesus came to save the world, including us, who are we to judge?
We all have our own personal brand of sinfulness.
And the weight we put on some sins being heavier than others – that’s us.
Not God.
James 2:10 says, “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.”
The only sin that won’t be forgiven is the rejection of Jesus as God’s Son (John 12:48).
So as Balaam noted, how can we judge others?
Judgment is reserved for God alone, and while that seems scary, for those who have accepted His gift of grace and salvation, we don’t have anything to fear.
Today, as you offer up praises to God, praise Jesus that His time here provided the way to salvation for anyone who believes in Him; that He loves us that much!
And ask the Holy Spirit to help you resist the temptation to judge, remembering that Jesus didn’t come to judge you, but save you.
And him.
And her.
No matter how unlikely a Christian-candidate they may seem.
