WATCHWORD:
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:22-23
Meditation:
Judging
God certainly doesn’t mean not to judge. Does He? How does one go through a day without judging? Seriously, in the course of your day, how do you avoid making judgements? Decisions between two choices? Am I off base, have I missed the true meaning of God’s command?
Let’s say I am off base. When we read that passage and try to apply it to our everyday lives do we take it out of context? We’ve heard this before, when you read to understand scripture, you must understand the context. Okay, what is the context?
Sources tells me that this may be the most often misused verse in the entire Bible. Jesus command gets twisted into never disapprove or correct the actions of another. Jesus does not say never judge. What Jesus did say is that he warns that there is a consequence to each judgment. If you read further in the scripture you know that Jesus is giving instructions on the proper use of judgment. Later in the same chapter, Jesus explicitly indicates that right judgment is necessary, while hypocritical or shallow judgment, judgment based upon ego or jealousy, is wrong.
So, whose standards do we use to judge appropriately? Is the judgment made in love? Is the judgment constructive, made to build the other up. Or does the judgment come from spite, aimed at tearing down. I believe that this is what Jesus is communicating.
More about context. Jesus has been teaching toward a religious culture that practiced showing off their righteousness. He called out as hypocrites those who call attention to themselves as they show off, great prayers of announcement and pointing out that they give to the needy. Under Israel’s religious leadership the worship of God had become about proving one’s worthiness to other people instead of humbly serving God.
I wonder how far we have come. Do we count the people in the pews, or the total of the collection plate as measures of church success? In Michael Foss’ book, Power Surge, he makes the argument that the true measure of Christian success has nothing to do with attendance or tithing, but everything to do with discipleship. And how does discipleship translate to the individual Christian? True discipleship evolves from love. It all boils down to love, the love Jesus prescribes. Loving others as he loves us. When that is in the equation, then judging is transformed into lifting up, encouraging, and supporting. Amen? Amen.
Bulletin Board:
When I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that I needed to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again. (Short stories from a friend.)
Closing Prayer:
God of our hearts, make us aware of our selfish motives. We want too much. We consume too much. We judge too much. We forgive too little. We help too little. We dream too little about living an abundant life with You. We use our power for our own gain. We don’t allow hurt and pain in the world to bother us. We think Your words are meant for someone else. Forgive us God. Make our lives about You, instead of us. Help us to pursue a life led by Your Spirit, and changed by Your mercy and grace. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
