“Don’t you judge me, ya hear!”
Right after hearing these words, our knees wobble, mouths dry out, and heads hang down. Then, we Christians slowly sink into our seats.
We’ve been body-slammed by the Matthew 7 catch-all retort used by the media, politicians, activists, atheists, butchers, bakers, and candle stick makers who hope to justify ungodly lifestyles by using the words of Jesus.
Baloney!
If they hate God, dishonor their parents, murder, commit adultery or fornication, and tell lies, they have already been judged by the Word of God, specifically the Ten Commandments.
Furthermore, if they are involved in abominable sins, such as homosexualty, abortion, or cheating in business, they are also judged by the Word of God.
And guess what?
The verses in Matthew 7 are not a magic “Get Out of Jail Free” card, shielding people from their guilt. If they have committed any of the above sins, the verdicts have already been rendered. They’re guilty. No excuses, alibis, or flippant retorts will help alleviate the judgments against them.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT)
Jesus spoke the above words in Matthew to prepare us – the believers – for helping prisoners in the kingdom of darkness. They’re guilty and need our help. But first, we need to get rid of our own sins.
Our goal is to be able to demonstrate God’s love to them and say, “Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye.” Because every breakage of the Ten Commandments or abominable sin is just a speck waiting to be washed clean by the blood of Jesus.
Yesterday is gone. So, now is the time for us believers to prepare our hearts for today’s world.