Exercising Sober Judgment

"Today's Devotion" For June 8, 2005

Read: Galatians 6:1-5; Psalm 8

EXERCISING SOBER JUDGMENT

"Do not judge, or you too, will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Mt. 7:1,2)

There is probably no more difficult issue among people than that which is posed and suggested by Jesus' words noted above. A common theme in our world, especially in Western society, is that judging others is inappropriate and contrary to "what the Bible says." This is a mantra of sorts, especially among those who don't believe Scripture to be the inerrant Word of God, which is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." (II Tim. 3:16). It's always somewhat curious that people will throw away almost everything else God says, but when it comes to the issue of judging and being judged it seems that Scripture is right "on the money" on this issue.

Yet, Jesus words in Matthew, echoed by Paul in his Letter to the Galatians, are intended to remind us that God expects us to call a sin a sin. He expects us to recognize that there are things that we all do that run contrary to His Will and are disobedient to His commandments. At the same time, Jesus' recognized that because we don't want to own up to our own sins we have the tendency to point fingers at others to avoid our own guilt. When we do so we diminish ourselves and others in the process. At the same time, there's a distinction between judging our actions and those of others on the basis of God's Word and casting judgment upon others that we refuse to apply to ourselves, often through the misapplication of God’s Word. This inequity is what both Jesus and Paul are addressing, for such inequity of judgment and justice serves to put us at risk of our own forgiveness.

Jesus' words serve to remind us that we can be petty and unforgiving toward one another. Paul exhorts us to sober, personal judgment when he writes, "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Instead, behind both Jesus' and Paul's exhortations lies the concern that God's children care about one another, love one another as He has loved us, and so whatever we can to serve one another so that, together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we might be effective witnesses to God's love and salvation for the world in Jesus.

We're also encouraged by our Lord to recognize Sin for what it is, to call a sin a sin, and not shy away from judging one another's actions in love. Such judging in love and humble compassion is not judgmental or condemnatory (which is God's alone), but incredibly important in caring for one another and keeping our eyes on Jesus. What a marvelous gift of God's grace that we have His Word and promise that, when we are led to repentance through the love and compassion of each other and the power of God's Word, that His forgiveness for us in Christ is sure and certain and that our lives are renewed for His service.

Prayer: Father, it's really very easy for me to point fingers at others for my sins and failures. It's really easy to blame my wrongdoing and failures on others. In fact, Father, I ask You to forgive me for those times when I try divert attention away from my own sins by pointing out the sins of others. Guide me, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, to acknowledge my sins daily, come before Your throne of grace with a humble heart and spirit, and, in faith, trust that for the sake of Jesus Your forgiveness is sure and certain. At the same time give me the strength and courage of faith to never shirk my responsibilities to encourage repentance for my brothers and sisters in Christ so they, too, might know and live in the fullness of Your love and forgiveness. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.