Author: Zachary Taylor

Just a Thought: Judgement Free Zone 

~Zachary Taylor 

Earlier this week I found myself taking a tour of Planet Fitness, a franchise gym chain, in the hopes of finding a gym that was not crazy expensive. Overall I was not very impressed with the layout or the fact that they have no free weights, that’s besides the point. What interested me was the culture of members that attended this gym. The entire mood of this gym was  less serious than most gyms I have been to. What I mean by that is this; Planet Fitness has tapped into a niche market of mostly women and first time gym members. Nothing is wrong with this, in fact, the creator of this gym chain originally created Planet Fitness as a place where his wife could workout and feel comfortable doing so. The culture I am referring to is the, “judgement free zone.”

While on this tour the trainer made an interesting statement, “The world judges but we don’t.” That is very interesting considering that we were standing under a sign that read, “no grunting, bodybuilder tank tops, or drinking from a gallon of water… ” In other words, the world judges but we won’t as long as you look like us or do the things we do. Truthfully, we don’t need to go to a Planet Fitness to see this behavior of judgement play out.

Here is ONE of the many problems with this “judgement free zone”. Because we only interact with those who look like us or behave like us, we are missing out on a great deal of opportunity’s. Before Christ ascended back into heaven he gave one final command, to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). How can that be possible if we only spend time with those like us.

Just a thought: If you are a Christian, how effective can you be in spreading the gospel if you are not willing to share with people who are not similar to you?

I am not just talking about judging others based on their economic, political, social, or racial background. The biggest issue of judgement within Christianity comes from judging others based on their sins. The purpose of being a Christian is not to stay in a campfire group and sing hymns all day. The purpose is to spread the gospel, affecting the lives of sinners, by turning them to Christ. We have to begin to see past people’s sins, lovingly, not forcefully, opening their eyes to the gospel.

The fact is that we all struggle with sin. To us, some sins may seem bigger than others, or, some may seem unforgivable,or even maybe viewed as an abomination. All of this is from a human point of view. God sees all sins as equal, generating the same consequence, death.

Just a thought: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Not some, All. Maybe you are better at hiding your sin than others?

If all humans are sinners then there can truly be a judgement free zone since we all have the common trait of sin. However our response to sin determines our lifes end result, but that is a topic of a future posting.

 

 

 

 

MODELS for CHRIST

 

TITUS 2:2-8

Let me first start by saying that this is not an in-depth study of Titus. The intent of this article is to bring attention to the fact that the Christian life should reflect more of the gospel than the secular world.

TITUS CHAPTER 2

Generally speaking, a model is, “a system or thing used as an example to Follow or Imitatededication to routine, has become a, “thing used as an example to imitate.” This same definition should play out in the lives of Christians; models of Christ that are used as an example for others to follow or imitate.
<span style=”font-size: 1.” We can see this definition played out every day in our American society. Since it is summer, at the time of writing this, let’s look at a fitness model as an example. Being a fitness model is no easy task; you have to be set apart from the general population, physically speaking. This requires a strict diet, workout routine and sleeping schedule. Simply put, you have to do things that most Americans, including myself, are not willing to do. Models, with their six pack abs and tones bodies, are used as representatives for a company’s summer clothing line in order to sell product. Essentially, the idea is that when I go to a store to pick up a pair of swimming trunks, I see a toned model who is attached to these trunks. My desire is to be like this model, to IMITATE this model. Even if I don’t have the body that this model has, I can be like him by buying these swimming trunks. I imagine there is more psychology behind it, however, my point has been made. This model that is set apart because of his Just like the fitness models who have their own routines that set them apart, Christians have routines, not traditions, which are rooted in sound doctrine. These routines, or instructions, as Paul refers to them, are laid out by age and gender groups throughout Titus 2:2-8.

OLDER MEN 2:2

Paul urges older men to be sober minded, dignified, self controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. It doesn’t seem like Paul has much to say about older men in this text, however, in the previous chapter, Paul, in detail, explains the qualities that a steward of God possesses.

OLDER AND YOUNGER WOMEN 2:3-5

Paul instructs older women to be respectful in behavior, not to be drunkards, and to train younger women to love their husbands and children, working at home. At the time this was written, women didn’t have jobs that would allow them to support themselves. This text is not implying that women should stay out of the work force, however, Paul implies that it is a woman’s responsibility to take care of the household needs and children.  Remember that Paul is basing his instructions in the Gospel. (Read Gen 3:16 for more insight on gender roles). Women are also to be submissive to their husbands. In American culture, the word “submissive” has a bad connotation, however, Submissive in this text refers to support from a wife to her husband in his role as a leader. This is not a one way street. (For more information about marriage roles I encourage you to read Ephesians 5:22-24).

YOUNGER MEN 2:6

Finally, Paul gives instructions to younger men with a call to have self-control. Straight forward and simple.

FINAL THOUGHTS 2:7-8

These instructions in 2:7-8 shape people to be a model of good works. By that, we say things that are based in truth and seek to practice integrity. In doing this, we live our lives above reproach so that opponents have no leverage over our lifestyle or our beliefs. All of these instructions are rooted in the gospel; therefore, it is impossible to flawlessly live out these instructions in the way God intended without first coming to Christ. Just like a fitness model is not merely one who professes to be one. There are evidence in their routines and in their lifestyle that others can point to and say, “Yes, they are what they say they are.” I ask you, if you say you’re a Christian, can others point to your lifestyle, your speech, your routines and say, “Yes, they are what they say they are?” As Christians, we are not only becoming more like Christ through sound doctrine, we are his examples that others can follow and imitate. We are his models.