Judges

Matthew 7:1-2
"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."



“Do not judge!”  How many times have you heard that?  Not only have I heard that quote, I’ve used that quote.  Those three words are Jesus’ words and I would guess that they are used by non-Christians more than by Christians.  Why do you suppose that is?

Well, here’s the way I see it.  Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people who lived under Law.  Everything they did was based on a judgemental system.  If you could uphold the law, you were judged to be a good person.  If, however, you could not uphold the law, you were judged to be unrighteous.  This system of judgement revolved around what you did and how well you did it.  It was a system without grace.

Today, Christianity commonly interprets this scripture to mean this: avoid being judgemental, but still judge, that is, have an opinion of others.  The idea is that there is a disconnect between judging the person and judging the actions of the person.  I don’t think there is.  If you judge my actions, you are judging me at the same time.  If I’m sinning (according to your standard), then I’m a sinner (according to your standard).  Your opinion of me is based on your judgement of my ability or inability to maintain your standards or God’s standards.

Jesus knew full well that we would judge others.  This is why He stated the absolute “DO NOT JUDGE” command and immediately followed it up with the “If you judge” provision.  It’s not our right to judge others; it’s our choice.  If you look at unwed couples, homosexual couples, drug addicts, murderers, and thieves and judge them based on their actions, you’ll be judged based on your actions as well.  Ever sinned?  This could be a bad path for you to go down!  But if you judge according to Jesus, who became their sacrifice at the cross, then you’ll be judged the same way.  You’ll be judged according to Jesus’ finished work on the cross!

We can’t ignore the fact that the words of Jesus are true and final.  If you judge, you’ll be judged with the standard by which you judged.  So, that being the case, I’m choosing to judge everyone according to Jesus.  Did Jesus die for the sins of all?  Yes.  Did Jesus bear the punishment for the sins of all?  Yes.  Since Jesus paid their price just like He paid my price then I will judge them according to how I wish to be judged: by the Blood of Christ.

God views you, Christian, through stained glass; it’s been tinted with the blood of Jesus.  He views everything with a rose red filter.  If He, who is the Perfect Creator, is judging me based on the finished work of His perfect Son, Christ, then I should be doing the same.  I should be judging myself and others according to the finished work of Christ.  If it were possible, we would not judge at all.  That’s impossible, so instead we have a choice.  That choice is this: judge based on your standards or judge based on the finished work of Jesus Christ.  Just remember your standards will be used against you.  His standard will be used in your favor!