February 5, 2023

 

Stop Judging

 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:1-5

 

It seemed like something no one could quibble with. The phrase was simple: Jesus didn’t have to agree with people to be kind to them. Who could argue? Indeed.

 

The comment came: He was good to everyone but He did not except (sp) their sins. And that, my friends, is the problem. Not that other people sin but that we are so focused on their sin that we miss our own.

 

Don’t worry. I didn’t get into it with her. I simply reminded her of what Jesus also said about not judging people and let Scripture make its point. She didn’t reply. There really wasn’t anything else to say.

 

I look around at all the people pulling away from church. I see people doubting Jesus. And, honestly, I understand why. If the only way they know Jesus is through some of His followers, well, it’s a sad thing. Not because we’re imperfect. Everyone has flaws and sins and makes numerous mistakes every single day. It’s that we don’t own our own issues while we loudly proclaim the sins of others.

 

I’ve read the Bible through several times in a number of different translations. No where in the Bible does it give us permission to judge others. If someone strays, we’re to lovingly guide them back. That’s far different than sitting on our self-made throne and throwing daggers at someone God loves just as much as He loves us.

 

Let’s remember that Jesus didn’t choose His disciples from the religious elite. He didn’t call on those who had all the answers. He found His disciples among normal people and outcasts who had hearts open to receive the Messiah. And even they got it wrong time and time again.

 

When you find yourself looking around and looking down on those you see, take a step back. Hit your knees. Ask God for forgiveness. And ask Him to help you remove the plank from your own eye so that you can more clearly see how to love others like He loves you.