God's final plan is not to make us businessmen or teachers but to make us more like Jesus. His plan starts in the heart of the Trinity and is to disseminate the "Son-kind" to all men so that all people are a reflection of Jesus, the firstborn of many brethren. The concept of predestination, as penned in Romans 8:29-30, is not to determine who is going to heaven or hell but to what purpose God is working to make those whom He predetermined beforehand more like His Son. Imagine billions, indeed trillions, living with Jesus' heart—this is what the Father has in store for man. Romans 8:28 assures us that everything—whether failures, hopes, or struggles—works together for good when we are attempting to be more like Jesus. By putting our lives in God's hands, trusting Him to direct us toward the goal, every situation, no matter how trying, is a step toward reflecting His image and fulfilling God's purpose for us.
Discovering Christian Freedom from Judgment
Real Christian freedom is not having to judge others or be burdened by what other people think. Society compels us to label people. This urge to judge normally comes from not knowing a person's history, and as such labels people in a manner that dehumanizes them instead of respecting them. We also judge what we secretly desire but do not possess, like money or respect, and cover up our misery with criticizing phrases. Jesus, however, lived without taking offense and taught us how not to judge in a world where taking offense is the norm. The cycle of judgment is intertwined: judging others leads us to judge ourselves, and in order to be free of judgment, we must release both. Luke 6:37-38 teaches that how we judge others will be returned to us, and most of the time, it comes back to us in the form of our own guilt. Living without judging frees us from blaming ourselves, and we get to enjoy greater Christian freedom as we allow God to transform our hearts.
Oneness in Christ: Beyond Differences
The gospel teaches us about being one in Christ, something made possible through His work on the cross that demolishes walls such as those between Jews and Gentiles in the Bible. Divisions such as circumcision used to determine how valuable a person was, but Paul labored to eliminate these, stating there is no difference in Christ—no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. Jesus welcomed women into His ministry, which was a bold step against cultural divisions, shaking up expectations and inviting everyone into His fold. This oneness in the Bible is not something we wait for in the future but a reality we possess now: through Jesus' blood and torn body, all people are already one in Christ. Peter struggled with accepting Gentiles, even after experiencing divine visions, highlighting how traditions can divide, but Paul's call for oneness challenged believers to demonstrate this oneness in their lives. The power of Christ's cross unites all differences, inviting us to come to its base and bring those we judge along with us to find healing in Jesus' blood. The gospel celebrates our differences without allowing them to divide us, demonstrating that being one in Christ enables us to love and enjoy others without needing to agree with everything.
Living the Royal Law of Love with Mercy
Living out the royal law of love is not judging others and being merciful, as Jesus was with the woman caught in adultery in John 8. He did not condemn her or dismiss her sin. Rather, He offered her a chance to change with "go and sin no more," showing good judgment seeks to help, not hurt. To judge rightly, we need to be intimate with a person's story and refrain from labels that box them in. Luke 6:32-36 shows us to love our enemies and be kind to those who are ungrateful and hard to get along with, showing God's heart to heal hurt. James 2:1-4 teaches us that favoritism, such as showing preference to rich people over poor people, is evil. The royal law of love (James 2:8) reminds us that labeling others or being prejudiced is sin. We are to treat others as we want to be treated, no matter what they do. Choosing mercy over judgment (James 2:12-13) helps us work with our judgmental emotions and choose compassion, which is good for us and others. Discovering our blind spots through trusted feedback in faith helps us grow, unlike hurtful judgments. By asking a small group of caring people to offer their opinions, we create a safe space for correction, showing the Father's kindness. By honoring others, choosing mercy over judgment, and receiving feedback in faith, we walk according to the gospel's call to love, healing and freeing all.
Embracing God’s Plan