Judge, Jury, and Identifier
Abiding in the Lord changes our perspective. It pulls us away from the outlook and view of Genesis 3 and places us back in Genesis 2. This may not make full sense, but I believe you will start to see it. Think about where Adam and Eve had to find their definition of everything in Genesis 2, it was fully in the Lord. He defined where to go, what to do, what to eat, and where to sleep. He gave them the boundaries to allow them to thrive. Now shift to Genesis 3, Adam and Eve save the desirous fruit that was good for wisdom and they ate. POW! Now the burden was on them. Immediately they realized their clothing was not present, they defined what to wear. Shame entered their life. Then they hid, defining what might cause them harm. When we abide we depose ourselves from the crown over our lives. We again ask God to define the who, what, when, where, why, and how’s of our lives. Allowing the Holy Spirit to communicate seemingly unrelated scripture show us how all it relates to identity is beautiful to watch and experience. Remember, the key to abiding is knowing our identity fully, and defining that by the Lord’s definition.
James 4:11-12 brings up James’ point of not judging each other. This goes two ways. The first as James explicitly points out, when we judge (or rather criticize) another brother or sister in Chris we are standing as their judge. We are defining what is good and evil and seating ourselves on the judgment seat above them. James’ tells us that this puts us now in a position to not only be a doer of the law, but a judge of the law. There is only one Judge and Lawgiver to look at the lives of people. That is the Lord Almighty. When we criticize and compare we are seating in His seat, but without the absolute knowledge, understanding, and wisdom he possess. That is the like allowing a toddler to manage the estate of a king. They do not possess the ability to even remotely manage a kingdom, so it is with us in God’s seat. The second is more implicit. Taking this idea of the judge, when I was reading James 4:12 to my kids another thought came to mind, what if this is also communicating God’s intention of us as individuals ensuring our identity comes from him? I can hear your potential thoughts at this: How can you even remotely draw that conclusion, Chris? Take a walk with me and lets discover.
If I am on the receiving side of criticism, bullying, teasing, or mean spirited jibes, I can often allow that to change my outlook. If it is from one person or two, maybe I get upset or it ruins a great day. If it comes from multitudes or is consistent each day it may start to impact how I view myself as a person. My identity may be impacted by this, whether consciously or sub-consciously. But as I explained to my kids, these people are taking the throne from God. They are putting themselves in the judgment seat. That’s on them, but what is on me is where I find my identity. I have two choices at this point; do I listen to an ephemeral being with limited knowledge of me or the world, or do I listen to the eternal judge of all things who knows all knowledge and wisdom? If I answer with the latter, then my identity comes from Him. At this point their insults and criticism aimed at my character means nothing and I can see it in light of what it is, a flesh response of a flesh being.
My identity must be defined by the Judge, the Lawgiver, the only one who can see everything and is in a place to define what is worthwhile, righteous, holy, redeemed, acceptable, and true. If I am his child (Romans 8) then he has already spoken these over me. I am righteous because of Christ’s work. I am worthwhile enough for him to create an inheritance for me. I am Holy, because my sins were washed by His blood. I was chosen by him to be redeemed. Through Christ I am acceptable to the Lord.
So how does James 4:11-12 relate to my identity? It points out who is the identifier, and the consequences of us defining others. It allows us to see both sides as the identifier and the identified. As both, let us live in peace knowing the Lord has defined the important points and boundaries. Then as we abide in Him, and he abides in us (John 14:23) let us release the control to Him.
