On Assignment on Planet Earth

S - “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:21-24 NASB

O - Jesus says the Father is not judging anyone. Culture (religious and secular) is always judging everyone. There is only one judge and he has deferred judgment to the very end. Jesus is the judge and he is to be honored (τιμάω - to hold dear, count as precious, to value, revere, esteem) just like the Father. His consistent instruction to his friends and followers is do not judge. His consistent command is to love … God, each other, your neighbors and your enemies. To hear him unto eternal life and freedom from all judgment includes hearing him on judging and loving others.

A - Whatever the situation, Jesus always starts at unconditional love, leads with mercy and then addresses the facts (all of them). Culture (religious and secular) taught me to start with the facts, which inspire conditional love at best and not much mercy on the way to judging (called "tough love" ... long on tough and very short on love). Since I'm following Jesus and hearing him I'm admitting more than the error of my cultural training … I'm admitting my error and the rush to judgment it created in me and through me. Jesus isn't asking or wanting me (or anyone) to be his moral agent on planet earth (something I can't even do for myself - Romans 3:23) but rather the agent of his love. I accept the assignment and the only place to start every day and every situation. After all, it's the place he always starts with me.

P - Judge of all and judge of me,

I do respond to you and the honor you are due … the same as our Father in heaven. Thank you deferring all judgment so that all can come near and experience unconditional love and the mercy which sets and keeps us free. I accept your assignment as an agent of your unconditional love. I admit that I can never fully express this love until conditions arise. When they do, I will rely on you, your irrepressible life and love to empower me as you intend. Thank you for letting us live and pray in your name.

On assignment,

Steve