“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is 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 neighbor’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:1-12, NRSV)
Judging, logs, specks what does it all mean?
We often hear people say that the Bible says “Do not judge.” Well it does but there is not a period after judge there is a comma, and it continues that you will be judged with the judgment you give. Not do not judge, but do not judge unless you are willing to be judged also.
And don’t look at the wrongs with your neighbor until you have taken care of your own issues.
Because we all want everyone to follow the golden rule. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
But what caught my attention this reading was the very last phrase, for this is the law and the prophets. To Jesus, who is the one who said this, the law and the prophets is short hand for the sum total of the Hebrew Scriptures. So all of the Hebrew Scriptures is pointing us to treat others as we want to be treated. So treat others with love, because that is what God did for you.
aSacredRebel 