Matthew 7:1-2 NLT
[1] “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. [2] For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

Ouch! The world is full of self-appointed judges, both inside and outside the church. People are quick to take sides on issues that are their favourite cause.

A recent case in point…twelve young learners of a certain group are accused of racism because of their so called “racist” comments on a WhatsApp group. So, members of another group complain, making the issue the
subject of a massive enquiry, involving suspension of the school principal and provincial government intervention.

The accusations escalated into “violence, bullying, disruptive behavior, and violation of school rules”.

What started the whole debacle? Some young women who read into a conversation that was probably none of their business, and set themselves up as judges.

Unfortunately for them, their very action has, unknowingly, made them “racist” since they set the standard for their own judgment.

The authorities involved have taken sides before the matter was investigated, also creating a standard that will be the measure of their judgment. When the SGB dismissed the charges for lack of evidence, the authorities expressed “disappointment” at their findings. What does that say about impartiality?

The point is, why create such a hoo-ha about petty issues between over-sensitive, over-emotional teenagers who experience life on steroids! Why not teach these young girls to overlook so-called “racism” instead of fanning it into a flame and then trying to put the fire out?

The best way to deal with offenses is to ignore them because our judgments are flawed. We will never know the full story, even if we think we do.

If anyone had a reason to judge his oppressors, Jesus did. He had every right to organise a commission of enquiry into misconduct when He was arrested and accused of treason and blasphemy, racism in the extreme.

What did He do? He submitted to all the indignities of His accusers’ behaviour, choosing to leave His case in the Father’s hands. The result of their judgment was His death.

1 Peter 2:23 NLT
[23] “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

Phlippians 2:8 NLT
[8]”…he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

But…

What did the Father do? He vindicated His Son by raising Him from the dead and elevating Him to the highest office in heaven and on earth.

Philippians 2:9-10 NLT
[9]”Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This is a safe way for God’s children to deal with offenses without judging. When we commit ourselves to our true and faithful Judge, He will judge fairly by His righteous standards and vindicate those who are innocent.