It seems no matter how ignorant of the bible people are, there is one verse everyone knows. No, its not John 3:16. Some people still dont know that one. However, everyone seems to know Matthew 7:1, wherein Jesus says, Judge not, that ye be not judged. In fact, the less of the Bible people know, the more they are prone to know and repeat this verse. If we had a nickel for every time someone accused us intolerantly of violating this verse, we could quit our day job. When we label a belief as false, are we guilty of violating Jesus directive? Or is there a greater context? If we are going to speak on context, its important to look at the entire passage from which the verse is lifted. This is the way to get out of the passage what the writer intended; instead of forcing our own preconceived notions into the text. Matthew 7:1-6 says, Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, and considereth not the beam that is in thy own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam that is in thy own eye; and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brothers eye. Two important points can be gleaned from this text. First, it is clear that Jesus is addressing hypocrites - those who refuse to take responsibility for their own faults before judging others. This is not an all encompassing command not to judge. Rather it is a command against hypocrisy. It is a directive from Jesus to make sure our house is in order before we judge others. John 7:24 - Jesus said, Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Notice Jesus didnt stop speaking after His first two words; if He had that would have bolstered the contention we shouldnt judge. He tells us not to judge by appearance but to make our judgment right. Some people are convinced that Jesus never judged others. These are usually the same people that know nothing from the bible beyond judge not. Jesus first recorded words of His ministry are, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). How intolerant, ( by todays standards), of Jesus, for Jesus to presume that His audience was sinful and needed to repent! By this presumption,He judged them as sinful and in need of repentance. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus said, But I tell you that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother Raca shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say , thou fool shall be in danger of hell fire. It doesnt get more judgmental than bringing up H-E-double hockey sticks! As we enter the end of Jesus sermon in Matthew 7, we find some boldly judgmental statements that call for us to make judgments: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat: Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistle? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruit you shall know them. Not everyone that sayeth to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many mighty works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity!( Matt.7:13-23) Imagine if these words were mine instead of Jesus; many would be writing nasty posts as fast as they could type. When Jesus is warning us about false prophets, He is indicating to us that we will need to judge whether someone is a false prophet or if they are truly representing God. We cant take someones word for it . We must judge. The gospels are filled with examples of Jesus being very judgmental. He calls people names, makes a whip, kicks over tables, calls out evil and demands that we recognize it for what it is! The Bible is our guide; our rule book. It gives us warnings to avoid false doctrines and be wary of false prophets and teachings. In order to do so we must make judgments. The cohesive message of the New Testament is that we are to make judgments; but we do so with love and wisdom, and not hypocritically. If we want to obey God, we will know His Word for ourselves and obey it; then we will know how to judge righteously. Those who are comfortable in their sin and do not want to change when convicted of their sin, will always say, Dont Judge.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 12:59:53 +0000
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