TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2
Read: Matthew 7:1-2
Listen: Matthew 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
What is Jesus saying in today’s verse? Many of us have tried to help someone change bad behavior and were told, “The Bible says you can’t judge me.” But this isn’t what Jesus is communicating. He’s not saying we can’t exercise discerning judgment. We often need to discern a person’s character, such as when choosing a spouse, hiring an employee or loaning money.
Jesus’s warning centers on criticizing and condemning another person without mercy. When we make judgments without mercy, it’s as if we erase that person like they don’t matter and reduce them to less than God’s treasured creation. Judging reveals an unloving attitude in our hearts that we sometimes ignore or are unwilling to see. Passing judgment says we don’t understand God’s character nor truly understand the Gospel message of Jesus dying for all sinners—which includes each of us (Romans 3:23-24).
We often say at Ada Bible Church, “Mercy in—mercy out.” To live in harmony, we need to extend to each other the mercy God has shown us. There will always be people we disagree with or times when we see wrong behavior in others. Jesus wants our response to be merciful.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Remember we are all sinners who need to be saved by grace. Then pray, “Gracious God, I have a condemning attitude toward __________. Please forgive me and help me have your compassion and mercy toward them.”
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Philippians 3.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
