God's Judgement

I know, I have talked about this before. I guess you could say, I am very passionate about this topic. I just finished reading Romans 2 (God's Righteous Judgement)

This past week and this coming week, some friends of ours are going thru a really tough time, watching as their son is in court for some legal trouble he got into. As I sat in the courtroom and wondered what the jury would come back with, I thought a lot about God's judgement. After all, that is all that matters in the end.

Then last night I spoke with some other friends who were thinking of getting a tattoo but were worried about being judged by people in our church.

I even dealt with this subject about a month ago when my 14 year old daughter asked if she could get her nose pierced. I personally think it's adorable and wanted to immediately say "YES". But then all these thoughts came into my head about what people would think, not necessarily of her for having it, but about me for allowing this. I got angry. And even started to argue with those people in my head. Then, I said, "YES" and we went. As I study the scriptures on tattoos and piercings I see both sides.

One question: Do you have your ears pierced? Where does it say that it's okay to pierce your ears and not your nose? Where does it say it's okay for a female to pierce their ears and not a male?

I am just as guilty as the next person. I find myself judging others for the way they act, dress, speak, etc. But the question we need to ask ourselves is, "is it a biblical reason we are choosing to judge,(although in Romans 2 and other places in the bible it says that God is our judge, not man) or is it a personal preference that we personally don't like?" If it's the latter, be like Jesus, and love that person whether he/she has a large tattoo on their arm, wearing clothes you don't like, has a pieced tougue, etc.

Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37-39