Mere Appearances...

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How often I find myself judging something or someone by mere appearances. You'd think I would know better by now. In John chapter seven, Jesus is dealing with this issue. His own family has misjudged him, the Pharisees have misjudged him, and the people all around him are misjudging him.

After debating with them about Moses and Circumcision he gives this quote...
24 "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

So what is a "right" judgment?

Here are a few ideas...
Matthew 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness, Righteousness, Peace, & Joy - here are the factors to help make a right judgment. How are we doing?

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