Judgment Free Zone

TITLE: JUDGMENT FREE ZONE

SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 7:1-5 / ST. JOHN 7:24

There is a place that calls itself the Judgment Free Zone because no one is permitted to judge others - be prideful - or feel ostracized -- everyone is welcome, everyone belongs.

• Sounds like a church everyone would want to attend

• It is not a church at all

• It is actually “Planet Fitness”

The goal and their purpose at Planet Fitness is to make everyone feel like they belong which is not an easy task. There are many that feel the church in general has too many cliches, that the church is judgmental. I understand there are churches that are judgmental, however, sometimes the claim of JUDGMENTALNESS is based on that fact the church wants people to live the Christ-filled life rather than allowing sin to destroy them.

• All of us have our prejudices and insecurities

• We battle how we feel about ourselves and the way we feel about others

We are each a work in progress, and I would like to challenge each of us today to become Planet Fitness Christians and live in a Judgment Free Zone.

• At Planet Fitness everyone basically pays the same price

• Their fee is either $10/month or $20/month depending on the services each person wants

• Young – old - all shapes – all sizes - all races – backgrounds - rich - poor - heavily educated - limited in their education all are essentially one price

• So, the cost is equal for everyone

• You can’t tell the differences of education – wealth - background are not really known

• They can all work alongside each other comfortably because everyone is welcomed

I recall some years ago when Sis. Lawson and I had joined our local “Planet Fitness” here in Ardmore, we placed initials and signatures on paper, we were presented with a document labeled “Terms and Conditions.”

• Printed on this digital document was a list of do’s and don’ts

• What would be permitted and what would be impermissible

• Actions which the company had “judged” to be inappropriate and inconsistent with corporate objectives and customer safety

It has recently dawned on me, at planet fitness, judgment free does not mean rule free. Can you imagine if it did?

• Someone decides they are going to set idly on the last open bike while arguing with their mom on their phone, but employees can’t say anything because it’s a “no judgment zone”

• Another would-be gymnast decides they want to get buff in the buff, but all you can do is look away because it’s a “no judgment zone”

• A fitness enthusiast decides he will publicly blast 90’s techno music through a JBL personal speaker system and you’re forced to listen because it’s a “no judgment zone”

• Another person showers a machine in sweat and then moves on without cleaning it afterwards, but nobody can coach them on proper gym etiquette because it’s a “no judgment zone”

• And a 110 lb bodybuilder loads up 300 lbs of free-weights for a chest routine, but you can’t say anything because it’s a “no judgment zone”

A lack of judgment is not a prerequisite for being judgment free. Scripture is very clear. We as fallen human beings live in a “Judgment Free Zone.” In this life, like our local gym, everyone is on their own spiritual fitness journey. We are all working within our own measure of faith as defined in ROMANS 12:3 “…AS GOD HATH DEALT TO EVERY MAN THE MEASURE OF FAITH.”

• Some are healthier than others

• Some have been training for a long time

• Others are just getting underway

• We have no right to judge their spiritual appearance or journey

• But “no judging” is not the same thing as “no rules”

Today, many times we have said or heard those around us say - “who are you to judge?” “What gives you the right to judge me?” “judge not,” they quote, “lest you be judged.” But living in a judgment free zone does not give one the right to act wrong. We live in a “Judgment Free Zone.” But there are terms and conditions, rules put in place by God to ensure a safe and productive spiritual journey. It is not only permissible to graciously point out when these rules are being broken, it would be negligent to do otherwise. Because “judgement free” does not mean “rule free.”

One of the things our world today fails to distinguish is the difference between judging and being judgmental.

• Being judgmental means being quick to judge or harsh in your judgment

• It means setting yourself above other people or thinking you are better than them