JOHN SHIRK – In the first few verses of Matthew 7, Jesus gave a serious warning for us to heed:

“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.”

The context of the word “judged” in this passage is condemnation.  It is out of place for the follower of Jesus to act like we have the final word on someone’s salvation, when in fact, that is God’s job.  This passage does NOT mean that we are supposed to approve of sinful lifestyles or accept false teachings.  What Jesus is attacking is the self-righteous tendencies in us to look for the negatives and prey upon people’s weaknesses.  According to Jesus, the measure of judgment we use will be measured to us.  There is such a double standard to a self-righteous attitude. Mercy for me. Judgment for them.  Jesus asks the question, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  Self-righteous hypocrisy hurts our witness for Christ.  It is one of the most cited reasons by unbelievers as to why they stay away from church.  Jesus challenges us to evaluate if we are using a double standard in the way we treat people.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com