If each of us in our church shared our favorite football teams this morning, I’d think the Carolina Panthers might be at the top of the list. We also have a few die hard Washington Redskins fans, like Josh Peterson and Chuck Riddle! But there is one team that has had such a national following for so many years, that they came to be called “America’s Team” — the Dallas Cowboys (Cliff Spicer’s team!). Like them or not, over the years they have been more popular than any other team, and have sold more merchandise than any other, so they have come to be known as “America’s Team.”
There are some things like that, which are so popular in our country, that you can call them “America’s” something or other: McDonalds is probably America’s restaurant. Baseball is America’s pastime. And I believe that there is a verse, which, for better or for worse (and I would submit to you that it is generally for worse) has become “America’s verse.” And that is the verse which opens Matthew 7, where Jesus tells His disciples: “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” I have heard these words quoted SO often — and I imagine that you have too — that I think you can make a pretty good case that this just may be America’s favorite verse. For some people, it’s like the only verse they know and quote: “Judge not!” “We’re not supposed to judge!” But unfortunately, when many Americans quote this verse, they misapply it, because they don’t really know what it means. Let’s look together at what “America’s verse” does and does NOT mean: Continue reading →
shawnethomas 