Opening the final section of the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 7, we see the Messiah King Jesus instructing his disciples concerning how they are to treat one another. The first five verses is all about abstaining from the natural tendancy to be critical of one another. This is a universal principle that transcends all dispensations. As we will see next Sunday, we find the Golden Rule in V.12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. In other words, treat people with the respect you wish to receive.
We covered similar scriptures from various authors that all have the same conclusion – do not be critical of others. You do not know what is going on in their lives.
Paul had much to say to the morally superior in Romans 2:1-2. He also warned believers about being critical to a fellow believer in Roamans 14:10-13, because we are all going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, he reminds us that our old Adamic nature, the natural man cannot understand spiritual things, but our new man can make proper evaluations because our new man has the mind of Christ. Finally, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11:28-32 to constantly evaluate ourselves and judge ourselves. If we do that, we will not come under His judgment, but, when we are judged of the Lord His chastening is for our benefit.
James 4:11-12 warns the reader not to speak evil of one another, or judge one another! John writes something similar to Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 2:15.
1 Corinthians 2:15: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. John 7:24: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
It is our responsibility to be able to judge all things, not by appearance only, but by rightly dividing the Word of God. Righteous judgment can only come from knowing the scripture!
Next week, we will look at dogs and swine, and how to pray! It will be a wonderful journey.
