Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, this statement can be viewed on two levels.

From the standpoint of our interaction with other human beings, Jesus would be pointing out that if we adopt a harsh, critical, condescending, or judgmental manner toward others, then they will exhibit the same attitude toward us. (As Jesus said in the verses immediately following Matthew 7:1, "For with the judgment with which you judge, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.")

From the standpoint of our relationship to God, we are all sinners who (in an unsaved state) justly deserve nothing but His punishment, and we have no right to regard ourselves as superior to others in God's eyes, since (as James said) the person who commits the slightest infraction of God's Law is guilty from God's perspective of having violated it all (James 2:10).

We are always to be mindful of how much God has forgiven us, and of how merciful He has been to us, and then we are to show the same spirit toward others. If we do not, we risk God's judgment, as Jesus also illustrated in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), as well as in the Lord's Prayer, where we ask God to forgive us our sins in the same way that we forgive (or, by implication, fail to forgive) those who sin against us (Matthew 6:14-15).

April 14 2016 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Jesus was actually giving us the good news in Matthew 7:1 --

1. It shows our need for God’s grace
When Jesus says, “Don’t judge,” he’s exposing how quick we are to criticize others in a harsh or self-righteous way. But when we stop and look honestly at ourselves, we realize we’re guilty of the same things. Paul says it plainly in Romans 2:1—when we judge others, we’re actually condemning ourselves. That realization—that we’re just as guilty—drives us to our deep need for God's forgiveness. That’s at the heart of the gospel.

2. It prepares us for the mercy of the gospel
Jesus isn’t saying we should never recognize right from wrong. Later in this chapter (verses 15–20), he tells us to watch out for false teachers. What he’s warning against is having a critical, holier-than-thou attitude. The gospel shows us something better: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Because Jesus took the judgment we deserved, we don’t stand condemned anymore. Now, instead of being quick to judge, we’re called to show mercy—just like he did for us.

3. It points us to the one who took our judgment
Jesus is the only one with the right to judge—but he chose instead to be judged for us at the cross. Matthew 7:1 reminds us: don’t act like you’re in God’s place. Only Jesus sits on that throne. And here’s the amazing truth of the gospel: the rightful judge stepped down and took our punishment so that we could be forgiven.

Romans 8:1 says it best: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

13 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report