If you look up the word “judgement” you get almost exclusively positive results. The ability to decide between two things; the ability to make a good decision after considering all the facts. But if you add two small letters onto the end of the word judgement, things go the other way. If you look up the word “judgmental,” it is all negative. We should exercise good judgement, but somehow not be judgmental. If you ask the typical American what they think of Christians, it is often that they are judgmental. Judgment is good if it comes from our financial advisor, a judge or a referee, but never good when it comes from God or His people. And yet, over and over again, the Bible celebrates God’s judgement as a blessing, as part of his goodness. We are in a series going through the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. And today we begin looking at Paul, Silas and Timothy’s 2nd letter to the church in Thessalonica—the book of 2nd Thessalonians.
