Pastor’s Blog 3.8.18
This is not a “judgment free” zone…
Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. NKJV
Last week we discussed the finality of judgement. So, in this scripture, Jesus makes the statement, “Judge not, that you may not be judged.” Most of the time I hear this quoted, it is in the context of someone passing judgement on whether something in someone’s life is good or evil. Let’s look at the context of this statement and see the full meaning.
Matthew 7:2-6
2 For with what judgment you judge , you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. NKJV
The context of the sermon on the mount was that the Lord was exposing the self-righteousness in mankind. He was exposing the hidden sin in all who believed that they were righteous according to the standards of the law of Moses. Read this verse from the passion translation:
Matthew 7:1-5
“Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and judgment will not be passed on you. For you’ll be judged by the same standard that you’ve used to judge others. The measurement you use on them will be used on you. Why would you focus on the flaw in someone else’s life and yet fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own? How could you say to your friend, ‘Let me show you where you’re wrong,’ when you’re guilty of even more? You’re being hypercritical and a hypocrite! First acknowledge your own ‘blind spots’ and deal with them, and then you’ll be capable of dealing with the ‘blind spot’ of your friend.
I have purposed to live by the standard I impose upon others. I am also prepared to be judged according to the judgment I have toward others, and that is why I try to walk in a lot of mercy and forgiveness; and to double check my heart at all times for “dumb” judgments.
But notice what Jesus says in verse 6, “Don’t give what is holy to the dogs or cast your pearls to swine.” So how do I make that call without making a judgment? Every day, in leading the Church, I have to make judgments because I am representing the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Matthew 18:15-20
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” NKJV
The politically correct crowd wants to tell the church, “you have no right to tell me what I am doing is sin.” Well I’m afraid that is not the case. We are called to teach righteousness according to the eternal law of God, and as Jesus said:
Mark 13:31
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. NKJV
Salvation doesn’t mean evil is no longer evil, it means we have attained our status of righteousness as a free gift and now we have the responsibility to live in the righteousness of the person of Christ and manifest His love which cannot work evil! This is not always easy, but it is possible! We must stay in step with the Spirit of God.
We will continue next week! Be Blessed!
Be Blessed!
Pastor Dave
- Date - March 8, 2018
- Author - David Chisholm
