Part of being a person, made in God's image, involves making judgments each and every day. Although as children, our parents make many of our decisions (or judgments) for us. We still decide with whom we will associate, for the most part, as we do in later life. Our companions often determine whether or not we will spend part, perhaps all, of our life in correctional institutions. As the apostle Paul pointed out, "Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33 ASV). As parents, we now understand why concerned parents were careful about our playmates.

Becoming a Christian and living the Christian life is the most important decision we make. If we judge Jesus of Nazareth was real, that He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and that He was actually raised from the dead the third day according to the Scriptures - we still must decide if we will live in harmony with God's will or not. Jesus, in the same sermon dealing with judging (Matthew 7:1), requires us to make a judgment concerning His words (Matthew 7:24-27). We build our life as a man builds his house. If we do His words, we are building our life on the solid rock of the Bible. When the storms of life come we will weather them. If we refuse to heed God's Word in our life, we are building on the sand - we have no foundation that will stand. Again, in the same sermon, Jesus challenges us with another choice that must be made in life.

Moses, though the son of Pharaoh's daughter, chose to "share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:24-26 ASV). He "accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." In previous generations we, as a people, have been God fearing and pious BUT NOW too many of us have judged the pleasures of sin to be more satisfying than the faith of our fathers.

Joshua, the leader of Israel after Moses, gathered Israel together after conquering the promised land. He gave his farewell address (Joshua 24). They were admonished to "fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth" (verse 14). They were then told to make a choice as to the God they would serve (verse 15). His decision or judgment was clear, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (verse 15). In that final Judgment Day, you will fervently wish you had made the right choice!