Without opening the whole debate, it amazes me how many people know, sort of, one Bible verse - "take a little wine for your stomach's sake" and try to justify their use of beverage alcohol on this very out of context verse.
But there is another verse that is well-known by many, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Of course, read in context, Matthew 7.1-5 which begins with that well-cited quote, declares that the way in which we judge others will set the standard for how we are judged. (7.2, "For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.")
We must judge. Hopefully all of us over 18 are carefully judging presidential and other candidates. But if we judge from an attitude of trying to prove our point, to put someone down, to appear superior; we are judging with "wrong motives."
If we are judging (and, reminder, we begin by judging ourselves) for His good, for the good of the kingdom, for the good of people, we are judging correctly. John 7.24 records Jesus as saying, "...but judge with right judgment."
How do we know if we are judging "rightly"?
My take - if it hurts us to judge; we are probably okay, but if we enjoy the judging, we are probably way off base.
No comments:
Post a Comment