Our meditation to start this week is from John 15:9-10, a section of next week’s Gospel reading.
[9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
There is a trend among service-based companies to advertise that they are “judgement free.” How can entering a “judgement free” environment impact one’s spiritual life?
Let’s say a young man is entering an addiction treatment center that is “judgement free.” He is seeking rehabilitation out of regret for sinning against God by harming himself and hurting his family. In this case, judgement is not needed. The law of God has already done its work. The young man needs encouragement.
A different young man, who is also an addict, enters the same clinic. Only he is receiving treatment due to a court order. The young man has no desire to enter the clinic and denies any need for help. Is the “judgement free” environment appropriate for this man? No, it is not.
Our Scripture passage speaks to this question. Jesus demonstrated his love for God the Father by keeping the Father’s commandments perfectly. We demonstrate our love for Jesus by keeping his commands. What if we break his commands? Then we need to be judged, to hear about our sinfulness. Otherwise, we risk living outside of God’s love.
This means that “judgement free” environments can be helpful or hazardous to spiritual health. There are times when we need someone to identify our sin and urge us to repent. Once the law has done its work, judgement is completed, we need to hear the reassuring words of the Gospel.
Kevin Wilson 360 