Judge Not

In Matthew 7:1, Jesus says, "Do not judge or you too will be judged." It's a simple request that He makes of us Christians. Don't judge. Well, that’s easier said than done. It's kind of normal to judge what others are up to, how they act and what they say. It's normal in the media and in the world; it's even pretty normal to find it in the church. But Jesus said not to do it. Judging someone is to not accept them, based on what they've done or said or look like. So what's the opposite of judging? Well, it would mean accepting people, no matter what they've done, said or look like. Jesus doesn't want us to reject others, to talk bad about them or to look down on them. So then, the opposite is to have grace for others. God has given us grace. I mean, He accepts us no matter what we've done. Jesus died for us, while we were still sinners. And we certainly aren't perfect yet, but He still accepts us. So this is our model. Now, accepting someone doesn't mean you have to let them live in your house; it just means you aren't thinking and speaking badly of them. Whether it's your friend, relative, neighbor, church leader or politician, encourage one another, and speak positive about others.

Pastor Jason Anderson
Living Word Bible Church
Scottsdale | Mesa | Ahwatukee