Old plan thoughts carry over to the new plan

Here some old plan thoughts that carry over into the new plan that Jesus has revealed to us. Mostly things we should avoid doing but one affirmative act that is one of the two great laws that Jesus said to do. In His way, loving our neighbor is the BIG thing. If we do, we won’t pervert justice, show favoritism, gossip or seek revenge. God is love.

Don’t pervert justice.

Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great.

Judge on the basis of what is right.

Don’t spread gossip and rumors.

Don’t just stand by when your neighbor’s life is in danger.

I am God.

Don’t secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

I am God.

–Leviticus 19:15-18 The Message Bible

“The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father.” ~~Jesus

Jesus demands that we understand who He is in relation to God. Jesus says this. He really wants us to get who He is. Jesus said, “Don’t judge.” Yet, Jesus tells us He will judge. He has that authority and He has been given it by God.

His Father is pleased to do this for His son Jesus.

So … we should pay attention to what Jesus says. He will be the judge.

“The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father.” ~~Jesus (John 5:20-23 The Message)

Should I be the judge?

This theme seems very clear. There isn’t too much to be added here. 8 very specific references citing Jesus, Peter and James. Should I be the judge?

1. Matthew 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2. Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3. Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
4. Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5. Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
6. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
7. James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
8. James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Do I have a critical spirit?

Oh my goodness. We live in a world where a critical spirit is par for the course 24/7. It is in our culture and it is non stop.

Jesus wouldn’t put up with this. His challenge to us is clear. No picking on people, no jumping on their failures, no criticizing their faults. No judging of others unless we want to be judged by God. This is serious stuff. Jesus is not kidding.

I need to live my part in what our Father wants me to do. That has nothing to do with anyone else. It has everything to do with my relationship with God.

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1 -5

Related articles

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• Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” CUP KKIM/DDC (deweymoede.wordpress.com)
• “They took offense at Jesus” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• Friday (August 3): “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
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“God’s truth judges created things out of love, and Satan’s truth judges them out of envy and hatred.” ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Never dare to judge until you have heard the other side.” ~Euripides, 5th century B.C.

Straight talk

Jesus can be very straightforward and direct. His suggestion on criticising is to not do it. Period. End of story. No other advice. In other places He elaborates why but the reason here is pretty compelling.

Do I want to be judged? Do I want to be criticised? If I don’t judge, I won’t be judged.

Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1