PUT AWAY YOUR GAVEL

A gavel is defined is a wooden-like hammer that is used by a presiding officer for commanding attention or confirming an action such as a vote or decision.
It can be used to call for attention or to punctuate rulings and proclamations and is a symbol of authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a presiding officer.
In a court room, once the judge strikes the gavel against the wooden base, the decision of judgement is final.
The gavel serves as the sound of a final judgment.  True believers in Jesus Christ and His word are warned against passing final judgment on others.
First of all, notice the definition says that the gavel is used by one acting as a judge or an official with the power to pass FINAL JUDGMENT.
No human being has the capacity to pass final judgment on anyone.  Only God knows the true motive of a person’s heart.  
Too often some Christians will see the behavior of another believer and decide or pass judgment on some action or behavior of that person and decide or pass final judgment.  They pass a final sentence on that person.  Again, only God knows the true motive or action of a person. No person has the authority or the right to judge another person.
There is a warning by Jesus found in Matt. 7: 1 – 2 (amplified) “Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourself.  For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.”
Jesus goes on to say that how can we see a very small particle that is in our brother’s eye and do not consider the beam of timber in our own eyes.
The Bible is very clear that no one is without sin in their lives.  Jesus died to suffer the punishment we deserve because of that sin.  
So how can we as sinners judge another person’s sin.
I was always told we are not to be fruit inspectors.  However Matt. 7: 16 says, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”  Jesus told us this to be aware of false prophets.  We can decide whether or not I will receive what they teach because of the fruit they produce in their lives.
Yet I am not to pass final judgment on anyone.  Final judgment says they are going to go to hell.  However I do not know what their final outcome will be, because at any point they could repent and be forgiven by God.
I do not have to receive from them, but I better not pass final judgment.  That job is reserved for God and God alone.  If anything, I should be praying for them.  Only God knows what their final outcome will be when they die.
So put away your gavel.  If you want to judge anyone, judge yourself and be quick to recognize any sin in your life and repent.
For the Lord, He is good and His mercy endures forever.

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