Acting as judge?

In a lot of ways, Paul’s words echo Jesus’: “Don’t judge or you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-5)

But what does that mean?

Many people take it as, “Don’t ever point out my sin. Don’t ever call what I do sinful.”

But that’s not what Jesus or Paul are saying.

What they are saying is, “Never act as a judge who has never sinned yourself. Before you point out other people’s sins, look at your own. And repent.”

When we do that, several things happen.

First, we become humble. There’s no way we can look down on other people for their sins because we are so aware of our own.

Second, we understand so much better the kindness, restraint, and patience that God shows us, causing us to show that same kindness, restraint, and patience when we see others.

Third, instead of merely condemning others for their sins, we seek their repentance so that their relationship with God may be restored, just as ours was.

But what happens when we fail to see our own sins and repent?

We set ourselves up to be judged by God.

Again, merely pointing out other’s sins is not judging them. You cannot call someone to repentance without pointing out their sin.

But if all we’re ever doing is condemning people for their sin without the faintest hint of compassion for them, we’ve forgotten the heart of Jesus. We’ve forgotten his mission.

It wasn’t to condemn people. It was to save people. (John 3:17)

By his great kindness, he led us to repentance and saved us.

Do people see that same kindness in us?