Judge!

Judge!

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1‭-‬2 KJV

The instruction in today's extract is simple: DO NOT judge. Judging signifies you know the intents and motives behind a person's actions, and you have concluded on his guilt even without knowing or having all the facts. It is claiming the place of God over someone else; assuming that you know all about the person. This is different from reproof, which is to simply correct wrongdoing, which even God says must be done with a sense of humility and love.

When I claim superiority over someone else, I am saying that God is partial. When I conclude on another man's guilt or innocence without getting to know all the facts, I am trying to play God in the life of that person. And God alone is the righteous judge; able to give to every man the just rewards for all we do. And there are earthly judges, who are appointed to dispense justice according to law, but the rules for judgment are so strict that it has been said that: 'It is better for 99 guilty people to go scot-free than for 1 innocent person to go to jail'. Even by the world's standard, justice must be done the right way.

How then do we relate with people around us? What God expects is loving correction, not superiority complex. We show love to other people, and draw them to God through the quality of our lives. The reason why I must be careful is this: my own judgment too is coming, just as it will be for all of human life. If I keep this at the back of my mind, I am reminded to deal with people with the fear of God and watch my own life too. You only give out of the abundance of your own heart; if all I have is bitterness, it will flow out. If all I have is God's love, sure of His mercy, that will also flow out. Judgment is coming for all of us; how are you preparing? His time of favour is here.