Devotional
Measuring Up
"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged."
Matthew 7:1
Matthew 7:1
In this section of the sermon on the mount, Jesus is chiefly addressing the issue if hypocrisy. He was surrounded by crowds. Amongst the crowds were Pharisees and scribes, those known for impeccable conduct but who also had a judging eye. Jesus’ concern here was for those who look quickly at the faults of others, measuring their worth according to those faults, yet at the same time ignoring, or unwilling to acknowledge their own faults.
The reality is that not one of us is perfect. We all fall prey to human weakness. When we judge others by comparing them with our standards, we forget at the same time that we fall so dismally short of God’s standards, and He is the ultimate judge.
It is not wrong to have standards. Just make sure that your attention is more on how you are measuring up to God’s standards rather than how others are measuring up to yours. If we take Jesus’ teaching seriously, we will realise soon enough that we need His grace and forgiveness. If we receive this from Him, then surely, we can extend it toward others also.
Brett Wilson
The reality is that not one of us is perfect. We all fall prey to human weakness. When we judge others by comparing them with our standards, we forget at the same time that we fall so dismally short of God’s standards, and He is the ultimate judge.
It is not wrong to have standards. Just make sure that your attention is more on how you are measuring up to God’s standards rather than how others are measuring up to yours. If we take Jesus’ teaching seriously, we will realise soon enough that we need His grace and forgiveness. If we receive this from Him, then surely, we can extend it toward others also.
Brett Wilson