1 Corinthians 11:32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

Judging and being judged is a touchy subject! Jesus’ words on the subject are famous: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) However, that’s a far cry from saying there is no right or wrong, no good or bad. Some pop philosophers try to claim that, ignoring the total moral and societal shipwreck it leads to. God’s standards are real, and it’s clear we don’t measure up much if not most of the time. However, God’s corrections are gracious, seeking to lead us to repentance rather than destruction. It’s like military drill instructors. Those who have experienced combat know what it takes to survive, and their strictness comes from a desire that their trainees not become “cannon fodder.” Parents sometimes make the mistake of telling their children they are bad, instead of making it clear their actions were bad. To some that might seem like splitting hairs, but the difference is actually huge. Actions certainly need to be corrected, but that doesn’t change the value of the human being. God values us to the point of sending His Son to die for us, but He certainly doesn’t approve of some of our actions! That’s what Paul is talking about here. We need to accept God’s judgments with gratitude, knowing that He wants to save us from the destruction that our actions invite.

I think I’m like just about everyone else in this area. I don’t like to be judged! However, if I don’t know the quality of my work, then I won’t know how to improve. I’m very thankful that my parents were given neither to putting me down nor praising me without cause. I didn’t get participation trophies! They also never pre-judged my abilities, discouraging me from trying new things. That resulted in my having a very wide repertoire of things I could do, to the astonishment of people around me even today. However, I haven’t carried that over perfectly in my interactions with others, tending to insist on perfection and failing to praise progress. That’s not been good! My younger daughter was recently judging a competition for high school business students, and was talking yesterday about her joy at seeing those who did well. At the same time, she said there were those who didn’t seem to have a good grasp of what business is all about, and her prayer was that the competition had really taught them some things. That’s how and why God judges us in the here and now, before the Final Judgment: to show us how we need to grow. I have had countless lessons in that, and I’ve got plenty of room for more! I need to express the grace God has poured out on me to those around me, not expecting, much less demanding, that they do things exactly as I would but encourage them to use the gifts God has given them as He directs, so that the results may bring Him glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the magnificent growth I’ve seen in some of the people in my care. I pray that I would be Your agent to shepherd them as You direct, so that they may grow to be and do all that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!