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Article Archive |
2009
Holy Relationships
by Jim Morris
“The Bible says not to judge me, man!” yelled the man as the MP slapped handcuffs on his wrists. He was a civilian caught red-handed driving a stolen car on an Army post. It was humorous that he appealed to the Bible in an attempt to be exempted from his crime. Since that time, I have seen the same tactic used over and over. And yet, what was Jesus intending when he gave the command not to judge?
The statement is a part of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7. The whole sermon deals with the righteousness required of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Kingdom righteousness begins with the radically transformed and empowered character described in the Beatitudes. It is a righteousness excelling that of the Pharisees. It is a righteousness that finds its focus in the words of Jesus and not in those of human traditions.
When Jesus commands his citizens not to judge he is laying out principles for “holy relationships.” Though the world lives by lower standards, kingdom citizens must relate to everyone in a holy manner.
First, how should a believer relate to other believers? We should not judge our brothers harshly but help them after God has helped remove our own major defects first. Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5).
Second, how should a believer relate to the enemies of God? We must "learn to discern." Some non-believers are so rebellious to God that the very mention of the good news will cause them to harm us. Jesus said, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces” (7:6).
Third, how should a believer relate to the Lord? Where do we receive the power and wisdom to judge righteously? Ask Jesus in faith! He said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (7:7-11).
Finally, how should a believer relate to all people in general? Avoiding the extremes of harsh judgment and lack of discernment, every believer should seek the best for everyone. Jesus summed it all up in what we call the "Golden Rule": “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (7:12).
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