BULLETIN ARTICLE
15 March 2020

What constitutes good judgment or bad judgment? In Matthew 7:1-12, Jesus teaches us how citizens of God’s kingdom approach this question. When Jesus says “Judge not, that you be not judged” in verse 1, he does not mean that Christians are not to have any kind of discernment of what is good or bad behaviour. Instead, it means that we are not to place ourselves in the position of God the judge since we ourselves are imperfect. It is so common to want the maximum penalty meted out to those who do wrong while minimizing our own faults.

This is especially evident in the age of social media for example where very often insensitive and critical comments are posted to the hurt of others. Instead, Christians are to correct one another with an acute awareness of their own brokenness and in a spirit of love; to build up one another instead of trying to tear others down.

Next, Christians are to demonstrate discernment in the way they share the gospel with others. When it becomes evident that the other party is clearly not open to God’s good news of salvation, Jesus tells us to withdraw lest this precious gift of God is profaned and treated with contempt.

It is not always easy to discern what is right or wrong for ourselves and for others. In such cases, we are comforted by the knowledge that we have a Father in heaven who will meet our needs if we would only just ask. Kingdom life is also a life of prayer and communing with God. Jesus has made that possible through his atoning sacrifice for us on the cross. If we seek what is good and right in God’s sight, there is no reason to doubt that he will hear us and act according to his will for our good.

Verse 12 is popularly known as the Golden Rule – “Do to others what you wish others to do to you”, which is another way of manifesting “loving your neighbour as yourself”. Such is the principle of life that God’s people are to follow when relating to others.