Do Not Judge ...

... or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1

Originally posted on the blog "Honest Investigations" on the 29th October 2010

On reading this sentence (yet again), I realised that there is a corollary to this, found in Matthew 7:12 (is it a coincidence that it is from the same chapter of the Bible?) - So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

One cannot really say it better than that. There is one thing that I have learnt, though. Each of us (and those around us) walks our own path. We have factors that influence us, circumstances that oppress us, people who frustrate us, and others who cheer us. If someone who is angry walks across your path, do not judge them. You have NO idea why they are the way they are, what has happened to them that day. If someone cuts you off while driving, or drives too slowly or too fast, if someone says something that upsets you (without meaning to, or even meaning to), give them all a little grace. You never know - the grace that you offer may be the only grace they receive that day. We cannot please everyone, but at least try to make the world a more peaceful place.

I learnt this all to vividly at work a couple of weeks ago. Two people said something to me that made me react very badly: I was angry, frustrated, and certainly could not think of anything good in response. Thankfully I had the presence of mind to keep my mouth shut at the time. I later realised that what had been said to me probably came from a point of stress, not that it was anything to do with me, and this enabled me to keep my mouth shut further. I decided that I did not want to make things more stressful and unpleasant for all concerned. It was a good move.

It Really is all About Me!

Last night I came to a blindingly clear revelation: that it's really all about me. Before all my nay-sayers  start jumping up and down, let me explain myself.

Yesterday I read Romans chapter 2, in which Paul challenges the elite of Jewish society - those who should know better - to uphold God's law in themselves. This passage quickly becomes reminiscent of Jesus' injunction in Matthew 7 verses 1-5, where we are cautioned to not look for a "splinter" in our neighbour's eye, but to pay attention to the "plank" in our own.

And this is my point. When it comes down to it, God doesn't care about how we think Joe Bloggs is doing, or what we think of Susie Smith down the road's behaviour. Ultimately, he's concerned with me. Am I prepared to give up my hopes and dreams for his plans? Am I prepared to control my natural urges and desires to work for his instead? Am I prepared to follow the narrow path that leads to salvation - and thereby be a beacon of hope in a dark world?

What I think of those around me is immaterial. Instead of comparing myself to those around me, I must keep my eyes focussed on the goal - on Jesus. As the wonderful hymn says,

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
And look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.


Words by Helen H Lemmel, 1922