Matthew 7:13-20 and Luke 6:37-42
Judge not, and you will not be judged… (Luke 6:37a) Many Christians today are seen as judgmental, simply because they see issues differently than society’s currently accepted norms. Same-sex marriage and unmarried couples living together are two items that come to mind so often in terms of our “judgment” of others’ lifestyles. Basically, to many on the more liberal side of these issues, if we disagree we are being judgmental. I have (or have been with Carol when we have) had a number of conversations on these two topics. We lost some very dear friends when we turned down their invitation to attend their lesbian daughter’s wedding. And we got into a very heated discussion with another couple over them living together unmarried. In both cases we stood by Biblical principles, but were shut down as being judgmental. Jesus told us not to judge, but He also told us (through Paul’s and John’s writings) to discern between right and wrong (I Corinthians 12:10; I John 4:1). Judgment vs. discernment – we have to be careful. We may know what’s in our hearts, but others may view us quite differently! …which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed… (II Timothy 1:12a)
See also: March 17 / Luke 6:37-42; March 18 / Matt. 7:7-14 ; March 19 / Matt. 7:15-20
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says the gate is narrow and the road is hard. But elsewhere (Mt. 11:29-30) He says His yoke is easy. So what is it, easy or hard? To me, the road has been hard or difficult in that I am so independent and have had a hard time turning things over to Him. But when I did/do, His way is easy.
In Luke 11:42, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for tithing but neglecting justice and love of God. It is also easy to say love God, love people (justice) and then neglect tithing. Another conundrum, Jesus is so full of such seeming contradictions. We like things black or white, either or. But He is either both, very deep!
Determining exactly what Jesus meant by “Judge not…” is more than a little challenging. However, one thing seems clear to me, and that is that the notion of turning off our minds, casting away all sense of differentiating between right and wrong, and accepting any and all forms of evil behavior as “on par” with good is ludicrous and cannot be what He meant. Such a position is patently contrary to the rest of Scripture and is ultimately an impossible stance. Consider, for instance, those who quote “Judge not” in order to justify sinful behavior. In doing so, they decry judging as bad behavior and subsequently condemn the “judgmental” person — and thereby find that they themselves are guilty of judging! How ironic!
So what did Jesus mean? I think the crux of the matter is humility, to recognize that I am as much in need of God’s grace and forgiveness as anyone else, particularly that person that I might be tempted to judge or condemn. We must indeed distinguish between action and actor, between the sin and the sinner. “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” Easy to say, but difficult to do. But the first step is to remember that “but for the grace of God, there go I.”