7:1 “Judge not, that you be not
judged”:
First, let us understand what this
verse does not say:
A. It does not mean you cannot have an
opinion about something or someone
B. It does not say you cannot say anything
critical to someone
C. It does not say that our court
system which includes having Judge is wrong:
Romans 13:1 “ Let every person be
subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from
God, and those that exist have been instituted by God”.
Deuteronomy 16:18“You shall appoint
judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you,
according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous
judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, hand
you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and
subverts the cause of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall
follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving
you”.
D. It does not say that we are not to
implement church discipline:
Matthew 18: 15“If your brother sins
against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he
listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by
the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them,
tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him
be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”.
II. Thessalonians 3: 14 “If anyone does
not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing
to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 do not regard him as an enemy, but
warn him as a brother”.
E. So what does verse 2 teach us:
It is meant to emphasize the
appropriate attitude and lifestyle of those who have been so freely forgiven.
In other words, God will use the same standard we use to evaluate others.
In Matt 5:7 Jesus says, “Blessed are
the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
In Matthew 6: 14 “For if you forgive
others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if
you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses”.
We must realize that we are saved by
His grace.
Verse 3 to 5:
Jesus was warning disciples not to
make the mistake like Pharisees! Jesus is teaching us first to become qualified
to judge.
By, “First take the log out of your
own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s
eye” (7:5).
So believers when judge errors and
sins of others, they must be gracious.
Verse 6:
So who are these dogs and pigs? Jesus
is talking about people who openly reject the gospel, Jesus is referring to the
enemies of the gospel.
We have to share the Gospel with those
who are receptive and hungry for hope.
Matthew 10:14, “And if anyone will not
receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you
leave that house or town”.
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