Today's readings are taken from 1Kings 6,7 and Matthew 7.
Matthew 7 concludes the Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and as with the previous 2 chapters, contain a chockfull of important principles.
Opening this is section is the oft misunderstood and misused statement on "judging".
The problem is when one stops at verse one when clearly, Jesus went on to clarify what he meant in the next 4 verses.
2 things we note in this passage.
1) v.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
In a sense, it could be taken as the ultimate judgment which all will face. We think of the concepts of being merciful and forgiving in Mat 5:7; 6:14,15.
In another sense, one realises that those who have the habit of pointing fingers, often get pointed at without sympathy. We reap what we sow! (c.f. Gal 6:7.8)
2) v.3-5 basically refers to the attitude. Even when Jesus makes it clear, there are people who would use these verses to deflect the purest and most well meaning intentions of another by saying things like ,"we are all sinners!" or "you are a sinner too!". First of all, we note that whether be it a mote or a plank, the need is for them to be removed! A sin is a sin regardless of who comes round to convict it! Would a driver stopped for speeding turn around and accuse the police officer, "Don't tell me you've never exceeded the speed limit before!"? Granted, obviously a person who lives in habitual sin, is not going to carry a lot of weight in his judgments. In all likelihood, the judgment made might not even be well informed or sound! But the point from the recipient's angle should be whether the judgment is an accurate reflection and not on the spiritual state of the judge. On the other hand, entering into a judgment situation without the facts and worse having the wrong attitude will just make things worse.
Jesus said in Jhn 7:24 - Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
The problem is not with the "judging". We are to exhort one another (Heb 3:13; 10:25). Discipline is necessary in the church for the sake souls (Rom 16:17; 2Th 3:14,15). Elders have the responsibility to feed and defend the flock (Act 20:28; Ti 1:9). The problem is with the attitude, motivation and sometimes prerequisite behind it. We should not shy away from "judging" just for fear of being rejected or rebutted but rather, be motivated to adopt a pure, sincere attitude, in love, and to ensure we live pure, blameless lives too! It was never Jesus' intention for brethren to "mind their own business" and let one another wallow in their sins. Remember, we still need to remove both the plank and the mote!
Practically speaking, we all need to be more aware and caring to one another. Most of us, if not all, can attest to the fact that best friends are often able to be "brutally" honest with one another. Why? Because we know one another well enough to realise the intentions of the friend. Recalled what bro Yong Yaw mentioned in his last sermon about "disfellowship". Why is it difficult? Because there was little "fellowship" to begin with in the first place! As brothers and sisters in Christ, it is so important for us to develop a close knit bond. Paul described it as a body parts "knit together" (Col 2:19), "fitly joined together" (Eph 4:16). Such that when the situation calls for rebuke, the bitter pill becomes easier to give and to swallow.
Let us work together and help one another to greater heights and to our ultimately heavenly goal.
in Him
Paul
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. ~ Hebrews 2:1
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