Challenges: Beautiful

 Luke 6:37 states: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

There are far too many circumstances where we are judged every day in our lives. In a lot of cases, we are being properly judged. Wait, what? Example: Say you are learning a new job from a craftsman at his trade. You will be taught how to do the work, but until you have mastered that task, your work will be judged, and you accordingly. Beauty contests, automobile shows, the examples go on and on.

All of these things are not what Luke talks about in the above verse. It's what sin has led us to think matters in our lives, and is actually irrelevant in the way God wants us to think. 

Our thoughts reveal more than who we are on the inside, they also show us our weaknesses, our failings. These thoughts can lead us away from the path that we should walk, and weaken our ability to show others the true way to heaven through Christ Jesus.

Not only does Luke try to persuade us to not look upon another persons actions and make hasty judgements, he encourages us to forgive their actions if need be, and refrain from condemning them in our minds at least, in the process. For if we can refrain from condemnation in our thoughts, those thoughts will never see the light of day as our words. We won't speak of condemning someone, if we don't allow ourselves to think that way.

John 7:24 says: Judge not according to the appearance, rather judge righteous judgment. 

Think and say what Christ would, not what the world wants you to think and say. This goes for your actions as well.  I added this link, to show you how some in our society would try to explain to you that if you are not "beautiful" then you are not as acceptable in our society. RUBBISH!

The video above is of importance to this because far too often we judge people on how they look, or how they are dressed, and sometimes, on the color of their skin. When the world looks upon an old man, with a weathered face, and scared hands, the beauty is not seen on the outside. Outward appearance is not what God is looking for as an example of beauty. Why should we judge by appearance?

The challenge in this lesson is to look at everything, and everyone, with the love of Christ. Put away your preconceived notions of beauty, and look at what, or whom, God has made. You will find that some of the stress you put on yourself in these matters will dissipate into thin air.

God bless.