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Text: Matthew 7:1 ¶ Judge not, that you be not judged. Scripture is quite clear that we will be judged by the same standards that we have used to judge others. James 2:13 spells it out quite clearly, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” I believe that the context of the text shows that Jesus is speaking of condemning others in an effort to elevate ourselves. We obviously have to make judgments concerning anything that is contrary to the word of God. It is still necessary to call sin for what it is. It is a violation of God’s word and should not be minimized. However, our attitude in condemning sin is all important. We have to love the sinner and love them with the same love that Jesus has extended to us (Mt. 18:33-34). We often have conflicts concerning biblical doctrine. We make judgments as to what we consider proper interpretation. However it is most important to demonstrate the love of Jesus towards those with whom we disagree. Text: Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. If in my arrogance, I consign another to hell because I disagree with his scriptural interpretation and application, how will I plead my cause to Christ the Righteous Judge, if He finds some portion of my doctrine to be wrong? It seems to me that my doctrine had better be letter perfect or I may suffer the same fate that I have pronounced on others. We need to contend for proper doctrine, but attitude is all important. Remember when Samuel inspected the sons of Jesse, to choose a replacement for King Saul. 1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. The Lord instructed him to ignore any of the son’s physical attributes because that was man’s way of judging. He and He alone is able to know what is in a man’s heart. I believe that we should remember this when we are dealing with folks on the other side of the great generation gap. I need the Spirit of God to help me look past things that are personally repugnant to me such as tattoos and body piercing and to see a heart that is often crying out for answers in this sinful and confusing world. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Text: Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. The easiest thing in the world is to find fault with other people. We do this to make ourselves look good in our own eyes. We may fool others and even ourselves but our Lord discerns the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings. The thing that we are often reluctant to do is self examination. 1Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. We need to judge ourselves, but we need the Lord’s help in doing so. Otherwise we are prone to selective memory. Many times I’ve had a judgmental thought against another for something they’ve said or done, when I suddenly remembered that I had done the same thing at some time in the past. We are also prone to rationalize our own actions while being harder on others. It should be just the opposite, “Hard on ourselves and merciful to others.” Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. In Psalm 51 we find David’s prayer after he had committed adultery and murder. He acknowledged his sin and cried out for mercy. This is a good Psalm to read when as we examine ourselves before the Lord. Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. We used to sing this old chorus: Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me All His wondrous compassion and purity O Thou Spirit divine, all my being refine Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. - Charles Spurgeon Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Flash Movies Guest Writers Humor Links Midi Music Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact Last modified: 10-05-2011 Contact us About Him! Ministries |
