Justice or Mercy? (14 of 20)
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Tim Melton
Matthew 7:1-6
In our world today we hear various voices. One screams ''tolerance and no moral absolutes.'' This voice would argue that no one has the right to judge another person. Everyone should be able to do what is right in their own eyes. Others in the name of Christianity push back and try to stand up for the teachings of scripture but do so in such an angry and arrogant manner that Christ is not evident in their response at all.
So where is the place for those who follow Jesus Christ? We are clearly to follow the absolute moral standards of holiness that Jesus modeled for us. At the same time we are to be known by our love for others. Are we to judge others or not?
In Matthew 7:1-2 we find Jesus' response to this question.
''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.''
Judgment in this situation is referring to thinking of ourselves as better than others. It is putting ourselves above others as a righteous judge when only God is righteous.
''Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand (Romans 14:4).'' All believers are under the Lordship of Christ. They belong to Him. They are His. For us to step in and judge them is like one parent stepping into a situation and disciplining a child when that child's parent is standing right there. It is not their responsibility.
''Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things (Romans 2:1).'' The individual sin may not be the same, but the root sin is. We are guilty of rebellion, unbelief, idol worship and spiritual adultery, all of which drive a believer farther from God an ...
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Tim Melton
Matthew 7:1-6
In our world today we hear various voices. One screams ''tolerance and no moral absolutes.'' This voice would argue that no one has the right to judge another person. Everyone should be able to do what is right in their own eyes. Others in the name of Christianity push back and try to stand up for the teachings of scripture but do so in such an angry and arrogant manner that Christ is not evident in their response at all.
So where is the place for those who follow Jesus Christ? We are clearly to follow the absolute moral standards of holiness that Jesus modeled for us. At the same time we are to be known by our love for others. Are we to judge others or not?
In Matthew 7:1-2 we find Jesus' response to this question.
''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.''
Judgment in this situation is referring to thinking of ourselves as better than others. It is putting ourselves above others as a righteous judge when only God is righteous.
''Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand (Romans 14:4).'' All believers are under the Lordship of Christ. They belong to Him. They are His. For us to step in and judge them is like one parent stepping into a situation and disciplining a child when that child's parent is standing right there. It is not their responsibility.
''Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things (Romans 2:1).'' The individual sin may not be the same, but the root sin is. We are guilty of rebellion, unbelief, idol worship and spiritual adultery, all of which drive a believer farther from God an ...
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