JUDGE
JUDICIOUSLY,
GIVE
GENEROUSLY,
FORGIVE
FREELY
Luke
6:37-42
Luke
6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be
condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Susie: Jesus
is not saying that we should never judge or discern but rather that we should
not be hypocritical or judge on face value only. In other passages, Jesus
speaks of judging righteously, not casting pearls before swine, being
discerning, etc.:
John
7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Matthew
7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend
you.
Hebrews
5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Susan: Jesus
is saying not to rush to judgement but to take time to discern the truth and
the appropriate action in a given situation, whether to separate yourself
completely or how to handle the situation with the same mercy God has shown to
you.
Susie: We
should not be quick to condemn another person because we should remember that
Jesus redeemed us rather than condemning us. The confrontation of sin in a
person’s life should always be coupled with the offer of the solution for
sin—surrendering one’s life to Jesus. By
the same token, one evidence of our changed life is the ability to freely
forgive as we have been freely forgiven.
Susan: When
you come to a person out of concern and caring for them, they are more receptive
to a confrontation of their sin, or as James Robison would say, “Carefrontation
rather than confrontation.”
Ephesians
4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which
is the head, even Christ:
Luke
6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the
same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Give,
and it shall be given unto you,.... Give liberally of your worldly substance to
indigent persons, as you have an opportunity, according to your ability, and as
cases require: and it shall be returned again to great advantage; with great
recompense, either in temporals or spirituals, or both. . .
Susie: This
is in the context of not judging others rashly and harshly and forgiving as we
have been forgiven. If we give generously to those in need—whether that be
monetary, emotional, physical, or spiritual need—we will receive generously
what the Lord knows we need. If we are stingy in giving, we will receive less. This
is NOT in the context of giving a tithe or offering to God and does not promise
monetary blessings in return for those who obey the Lord by giving.
Luke
6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they
not both fall into the ditch?
Susan: If you
are not living righteously, can you teach someone else how to live righteously?
People learn more from what they see you do than what you say. Being a living
example of following Jesus says more than mere words.
Luke
6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall
be as his master.
Luke
6:40 (VOICE) You can’t turn out better than your teacher; when you’re fully
taught, you will resemble your teacher.
Susie: If you
are the teacher, you have a responsibility to exemplify the teachings of Jesus
in words and deeds because the one you disciple will eventually become your
mini-me. If you are a new Christian, seek one who is living what they believe
to mentor you because you will become like them as you mature. Of course, Jesus
is our supreme teacher, and we all hope to emulate Him and become more and more
Christlike.
Susan: Perfection,
in this world, is impossible but we are to press on; and eventually when we
graduate to our heavenly home, our graduation gift will be to be like Jesus.
Philippians
3:12(NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at
my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold
of me.
1
John 3:2 (NIV) Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be
has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be
like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Luke
6:41-42 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but
perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to
thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou
thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast
out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to
pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Susan: Don’t
pick apart others’ lives until you have done a thorough examination of your own
life. We should turn the critical eye on ourselves before trying to critique
others in their walk with the Lord.
1
Timothy 4:16 (Phillips) Keep a critical eye both upon your own life and on the
teaching you give, and if you continue to follow the line I have indicated you
will not only save your own soul but the souls of many of your hearers as well.
Ponder
this and apply it – Sometimes, those of us who have been in church
for a long time can become judgmental of others. We tend to expect new
believers and even non-believers to behave according to the Word of God,
forgetting that at one time, we had to be taught and nurtured in obedience to
Jesus. Take a moment and truly examine yourself. Look not only at your
observable actions but at the condition of your heart. Before assessing another
person’s life, ask the Lord to reveal any area where you need to conform to His
ways. Forgive as He has forgiven you, give as generously as He has given you,
and show mercy as He has shown it to you.
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