Judge not!
Matthew chapter seven can cause some very difficult problems for people. The church has used this passage to stand against gossip and false witness. But that would be don't judge unless you have all the facts. But here is the rest of the story. Judge not lest you be judged. Are you being judged? If yes then you have a responsibility to judge those who judge you. Maybe we do not want to go to vengeful judging.
We are all judged. We are judged by culture, fashion, religions, government, and God. But the rest of the story is not just that you get to judge those things, but that you should judge them by the same standards they judge you. How perfect does God expect you to be, as holy as he is. How fashion sensitive do I expect you to be, as little as I am. How religious do I expect others to be, no more than I expect of myself.
Judge not lest you be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with measure you use it will be measured you you. It does not say you are to be perfect but do not measure or judge others stricter than yourself.
I have long argued that Jesus is not prohibiting all judgement, like most people say we do not know what is in the heart of another. This is not about judging hearts. This is about judging anything. Do not judge another's unknown unless you expect him to judge you unknown.. Do not judge another's worship attendance unless your worship attendance has already been judged. Thus, Jesus further illustrates get the log out of your own eye first.
Judgement is commanded by God. We are to judge between what is good and evil. We are to judge between what is healthy and unclean. I cannot judge another person's faith, but I can judge their actions. James is correct in saying, you show me your faith and I will show you my actions. Actions are not he same as faith. But deeds as St Paul indicates can either hinder faith or build up faith.
Judge no one with any greater measure than you have already used on yourself. When your brother sins point out his faults, and if he listens you have gained a brother. Thank you.
We are all judged. We are judged by culture, fashion, religions, government, and God. But the rest of the story is not just that you get to judge those things, but that you should judge them by the same standards they judge you. How perfect does God expect you to be, as holy as he is. How fashion sensitive do I expect you to be, as little as I am. How religious do I expect others to be, no more than I expect of myself.
Judge not lest you be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with measure you use it will be measured you you. It does not say you are to be perfect but do not measure or judge others stricter than yourself.
I have long argued that Jesus is not prohibiting all judgement, like most people say we do not know what is in the heart of another. This is not about judging hearts. This is about judging anything. Do not judge another's unknown unless you expect him to judge you unknown.. Do not judge another's worship attendance unless your worship attendance has already been judged. Thus, Jesus further illustrates get the log out of your own eye first.
Judgement is commanded by God. We are to judge between what is good and evil. We are to judge between what is healthy and unclean. I cannot judge another person's faith, but I can judge their actions. James is correct in saying, you show me your faith and I will show you my actions. Actions are not he same as faith. But deeds as St Paul indicates can either hinder faith or build up faith.
Judge no one with any greater measure than you have already used on yourself. When your brother sins point out his faults, and if he listens you have gained a brother. Thank you.
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