Judging and the Kingdom (Matthew 7:1-6)

This week we're moving into Matthew 7 and Jesus' famous words, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Now Christians have spent more time arguing over what these words don't mean than what they do. They don't mean we're not to discern between good and evil (obviously). The command not to judge does not mean Christians are to adopt the sins of the world in their own lifestyles (just as obviously). The passages listed don't mean that the ministries of rebuking and admonishing are out, and tolerance of all sins is in. But if we only articulate what the passages don't mean, we miss the serious divine warning.

What is this warning? The passage addresses, in a word, an attitude. Before judging becomes a deed, it reveals the attitude of a heart. And it's that attitude that's so dangerous. So, once again, we're going to talk about attitudes this Sunday and how we're quick to blame others for our bad attitudes. But not me, of course, I don't have an attitude problem. It's those other guys, did you see what they did? I tell you .... Perhaps I should get back to this passage.

See you Sunday, Dr. Dave