Big Idea: What does Jesus mean by, judge not? Does he mean that we ought to suspend all spiritual discernment and loving confrontation? Or is Jesus referring to the spirit in which we do these things? How should we approach one who is struggling with sin? With a humble spirit and understanding of God’s grace for all.
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Luke 6:37 (ESV) — 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
To judge can mean to decide, discern, or separate.
Luke 7:41–43 (ESV) — 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Judgement can be of the spirit-ual nature, where we determine whether or not an attitude or behavior belongs to the Spirit of Christ or the spirit of this world.
Galatians 6:1 (ESV) — 1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
James 5:19–20 (ESV) — 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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Luke 6:37 (ESV) — 37 “Judge not… condemn not… forgive…
There is a Judge, to whom we will all answer, and before whom we will all stand, but it is not you or me. It is God himself!
Hebrews 10:30–31 (ESV) — 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
When Jesus says, judge not here, he is saying that we are not to be the Judge of others.
We are all equals. Equal in the depths of our sin and our need for God’s grace.
Titus 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For (reason) we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life
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Luke 6:42 (ESV) —42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
If a self-righteous man tries to lead a sinner to grace, he will end up leading him not to grace but to self-righteousness.
Questions to Consider
Can a sinner help another sinner grow in Christ? What must he know first?
Do you understand the grace of God for you? How might you lead others into it?
