JIMINY JUDGMENT

Sermon Summary from April 17: “Jiminy Judgment” (Read James Chapter 2:1-13)

The Letter of James, “The Gospel According to Jimmy,” is a letter of grace, of prevenient grace, a book of conscience, nudging us to do what Jesus says to do.  When we respond to that nudging we have the opportunity to change.  We Methodists call that nudging grace.  Some would call it conscience.  At Easter we talked of God loving us just as we are.  God loves us just as we are, but doesn’t leave us as we are.  He nudges, uses conscience.  We respond, we change.  Last week we said that the Letter of James was a side-kick to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and we introduced another side-kick, Jiminy, conscience too, as he did for Pinocchio, show us right from wrong.

So we jump in.  “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God.. is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction..”  Widows and orphans are at the bottom of the totem pole in biblical times.  God favors them even when we do not.  James calls us our for our favoritism, favoring the rich and well dressed over the poor and shabby.  We dishonor the poor!  We are partial.  We are judgmental!  (Read again James 2:1-13)

You had to be there for the story about Wilkes Blvd UMC, but let it be said, we are partial even in the present day!  James, Jimmy, says “If you show partiality, you are guilty of transgressing the whole law!”  Jesus says (and you know this one even if you’ve never opened the Bible) “Judge not, lest you be judged.”  “Why do you see the speck of sawdust in your neighbor’s eye but do not even notice the plank in your own eye?... You hypocrite.” How many specks of sawdust in a plank? A trillion?  Before we judge we must remember our own condition is a trillion times worse!

Important distinction between discernment and judging.  With discernment we compare things, right and wrong, an essence part of conscience.  We must discern.  With judgment we compare others and diminish them.  Judge not!  Unfortunately, there is a little judgmental Pharisee in each of us.  When we find ourselves beginning to be partial or judgmental, we must listen to the promptings of Jiminy, of conscience.  Judging, whether economic, social or racial, is evil.  Even the Church is in trouble because we are perceived (and rightly so) as judgmental.  We as the Church are witnesses to Jesus Christ and must do so by following his footsteps, doing as he would do—Judging not.  So may it be with all of us.