This statement has been bandied about by all and sundry, and there is a major element of truth in there, however, I wish first to address the statement that is “ popular “ with tattoo artists portfolios and hip-hop music fans collections.
Today I was walking around Middleton market with Bertie just stretching his legs before he had to go in the motorhome whilst I attended a healing service. It was nearly time for the meeting to start so we were just starting to head back to the car park in the centre when I sense the Holy Spirit nudge me and prompt me, “ Go witness to that man there,” I look in front as the man who is about to cross my path , is a battle-scarred, thickset, muscular, shaven-headed , heavily tattooed, mid-twenties, brawler .
Oh! I thought I may be mistaken, or I haven’t got time, … “ Yes, him, “ I hear. I often make excuses not to, but I can never forget how the Lord shone His wonderful grace and mercy to a sinner like me, I humbly apologise and get to work.
“Hi“, said I, Bertie is an invaluable evangelistic sidekick in these circumstances, the man looks at me and my dog to quickly evaluate any potential threat. The first few minutes I spend listening to the man on about, savage dog attacks, police chases, taser guns etc… All I can think about is, what an amazing Saviour in Jesus we have and I’m excited about getting ready to tell him. His hands hang loosely by his side poised ready to swing out, I recognise the body language.
I interject with a cutting question, it is not my intention to be rude, the truth always cuts through the flesh and goes straight to the heart, “ Aren’t you ready to stop? “, I pause, not just for effect, “Sinning “ I continue, “ Isn’t there times in the day, even if they are small almost tiny, little windows where you wonder where this violence and anger will end?“, “ don’t you have them little nags in your mind first thing in the morning when you are on your own and a thought flashes across your mind ` can’t we just stop this being bad, sinning, and turn it all around?“
There is an element of shock and trepidation in his voice as he admits that “ Yes , he does have them moments “ , I continue and tell him about God and His Son Jesus Christ has made a way for him to come to Him for salvation through repentance. He turns his head to show me in big bold letters the tattoo on the back of his head `Only God can judge me!`
Many people have this misconception, in reality, they make themselves god, by their own decisions follow their own plan or by devaluing sin, into of no or little importance.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:1 & Luke 6:37, “ Judge not, that you be not judged “ For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? “
There are other scriptures that talk about and give us guidance on the subject of judging and judgement.
John 7:24 Jesus says “ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment “
1 Corinthians 2: 15, but he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. “
James 4:12 tells us “ There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another?”
There are other scriptures that refer to judging actions: sin in church 1 Cor 5, 3 &12, matters between brethren 1 Cor 6:5, preaching 1 Cor 14:29, false gospels, Christs, and spirits 2 Cor 11: 1_4, works of darkness Eph 5: 11.
But the last word on this comes from the Holy Bible from the book of Hebrews 9: 27/ 28, “ And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly await for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. “ Amen
God bless