“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.
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
Judging other people is so easy to do. It takes no effort and seems to come so naturally. It is something that I have to guard against constantly.
The issue here is not judging the actions of other people. I am not out of line to judge a person’s actions, including my own, against the standard of the Scripture.
But I do need to take seriously Jesus’ warning here against judging people. Sometimes that judging can involve condemnation. A mass murderer or serial rapist is easy to condemn.
But other times, it is much more subtle. How often do I judge other people because of how they look or because they think differently than I do about something? And, in my judgment, to view myself in some way better than they are?
How much better to learn to show mercy to those who are different instead of judgment? Especially within the body of Christ. Judging leads to division, while demonstrating mercy leads to unity.
And, Jesus says, God will judge me with the same measure I judge others. I can expect to be judged with mercy by God if I have judged others with mercy. So rather than looking down on a brother or sister who is different, I need to embrace them as a dearly loved child of God.
I appreciate these words. I have to be very conscious of judging as well. If not careful it can become a habit. God loves us all, we are all his children.
And only he is qualified to be our judge.