Everybody has heard the old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. This same saying applies to other facets of our lives, such as Christianity.
Sadly, certain Christians tend to judge reserved individuals attending their church, assuming that their introverted nature means they may not be genuine followers of the faith. Yet, this stance is grievously misguided.
Matthew records the teachings of Jesus:
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
Christians are assessed not by the volume of their voices but by the virtuousness of their deeds (James 2:26). Loudness should never be a ruler for genuine devotion.
Consider the example of Dorcas (a.k.a Tabitha) recounted in Acts 9:36-43. She was a woman ‘full of good works,’ described not for her vocal presence but for her compassionate actions. When she fell ill and passed away, the disciple Peter, in the nearby town of Lydda, received word and journeyed to Joppa. There, through prayer, he revived her, commanding, ‘Tabitha, stand up!’
Dorcas, an unsung hero, was never portrayed as an outspoken disciple. Instead, her character shone through her benevolent deeds, so profound that she was resurrected from death itself.
That quiet soul beside you in the pew may harbor a heart akin to Dorcas. Let us not hastily judge those who favor introspection; their devoutness might speak volumes without words.
