Journal Matt 7 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, when there is the log in your own eye.
You hypocrite!! First take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt 7:1-5
Observation: Mirror, mirror, on the wall—who needs my evaluation/judgement the most? Why, me, of course.
Analysis: “Judge” The Greek word is krino and is a verb. This word can be translated as: Judge, decide, evaluate, hold a view, make a legal decision, or condemn.
With these in my back pocket, I could correctly translate the verse as, “Evaluate not, that you be not evaluated.” That doesn’t make sense. Discern and evaluate are close cousins and I am supposed to discern stuff.
But what if I slide in “condemn?” “Condemn not…” Now that makes sense of the passage. Or, “Do not make a legal decision, that a legal decision may not be made about you…”
This goes right back to the Gospel: A legal and Just decision has been made about me—I am condemned because of my sin and justly deserve God’s Wrath. However, Atonement has been made for me and absolves me from the penalty of my sin if I engage that in faith—the Blood of Jesus. So much more here to talk about…
It is in that realization of my Sentence before God, both condemned and redeemed, that I am to conduct myself with others. If it took that much Grace and Mercy (Jesus’ blood) to show me forgiveness and absolution, then it is certainly worth the effort to show the little I have towards other people.
Christianity is not a religion of moral duty, appearance, and adherence; it is living a surrendered and humble life before the Creator, fully and constantly understanding and acknowledging that it took the radical measure of the Son dying to allow me to approach the Father.
It is why I use the 1st person in writing this stuff—I use it as my mirror and reminder. If a reader finds use in it, wonderful, and I am grateful to serve.
Note: I know that there are sports in heaven. The premier contest? The crown toss…
Prayer: Father, everywhere I look I see the Gospel. That glorious Jewel, complete in all its Facets. How could I even think about bringing into disrepute You by jumping into condemnation of another when I thoroughly deserve it first. Make me see the log, O God.
Cause revival. AMEN