How many times does it have to be said: “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” or “Things are rarely what they appear to be?” Snippets of conventional wisdom, indeed! We all know that it makes good sense to gather all the facts before jumping to a conclusion. That’s just good old common sense. So why do we jump to conclusions (often condemning ones) with such lightning-swift speed and with such pathetic frequency?
One day Jesus was under attack from the religious leaders for healing a man and, yes, on the Sabbath. (John 5) They pounced on Him for doing such a deed on the day of rest. Of course, it was easy for all the religious leaders to condemn the miracle. They didn’t have to live with the ailment. They probably enjoyed good health with no hindrances to their mobility. They possibly had agile and nimble bodies. But it is highly unlikely that the man who was healed from head to toe (that’s the thought in John 7:23) was bitterly complaining about the beautiful intervention. It was on the Sabbath that he had received a clean bill of health and a great prognosis on the Sabbath.
Do you think the Lord’s thinking in John 7 may have been something like this? 
“You dear men just don’t get it. You have lost the point of it all. You wouldn’t dare postpone a circumcision if the Sabbath happened also to be the eighth day from the baby boy’s birth. You would swing into high-gear and go to work on the Sabbath day to perform the surgical procedure – so that you could be technically correct according to some detail of the Law. Yet a year and a half ago when I did a good deed on the Sabbath and completely healed that desperate man – you were all bent out of shape, angry and wanted to kill Me. You charged that I somehow violated the Sabbath day of rest. While you are all twisted out of shape about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, you’ve lost sight of what it’s all about.”
Then Jesus said: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24
On the surface, it might conflict with your thoughts of what is right and what is spiritual – but do not jump to conclusions. Don’t go spouting off, condemning some ‘thing’ or, more often, some ‘one’ until you have done your homework – if it really is your homework to do! Make sure you have looked at it from multiple perspectives in light of the Scriptures. Remember, you don’t know all the facts that led up to a person’s choice. Also, don’t forget that you have never ‘walked a mile in their shoes.’
While zeroing in on one line of the Bible to condemn something, don’t overlook the rest of the Word of God and the principles of Scripture. After you have carefully considered it from many angles, and you suspect a ‘wrong’ has been committed, be balanced, be fair, be sound and always ere on the side of grace. What does that mean? Well, it would be more Christ-like if your Scriptural decision is marked by kindness and grace – rather than harshness and rigid inflexibility.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
Free vehicle magnet 9″X2.5″” (22.5cmX6cm) A quiet Gospel witness. “Let your light shine.” An inoffensive way to help promote the Gospel in traffic and parking lots. Unlike decals, magnets can be removed easily.
18 Online Lessons for Brand New Believers Covering the Basics Easy sign-up
Tabernacle 101 Once-a-week-email study – short and to the point.
Personal Evangelism – Share-Christ Tip & Prayer Cards Get your free supply. Easy to carry.
Automatic Signatures work! If you include www.heaven4sure.com in your automatic email signature, you will increase the number of visitors to the Gospel site. This is particularly relevant if you are in contact with those who do not yet know Christ.
FACEBOOK or social media link to heaven4sure? Links really do work! People are finding the site through such links.