Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - WordActioin - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House] in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Monday, 3 July 2017 "Consequences In Judging" by David Restrick - Matthew 7:1-12

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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - WordActioin - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House] in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Monday, 3 July 2017 "Consequences In Judging" by David Restrick - Matthew 7:1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For the way you judge others is how you will be judged — the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you. 3 Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s eye but not notice the log in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you have the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you will see clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from your brother’s eye! 6 “Don’t give to dogs what is holy, and don’t throw your pearls to the pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, then turn and attack you. 7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone here who, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? 10 or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will your Father in heaven keep giving good things to those who keep asking him! 12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.------- Matthew chapter seven comes toward the close of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. If we were to hear this sermon today, most of us would be in no mood for judging others. Jesus sets the standard so high that none of us would measure up to it. After all, whose “righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees”? None of us would claim that we are perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Yet, it is our human nature to compare ourselves with others. We tend to look at others and make comparisons. I am not as heavy as he is. My hair is not as grey as hers is. These are insignificant, but it is easy to compare things that are more important. We can easily become like the Pharisee who went to the Temple and prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people” (Luke 18:11). Jesus reminds us, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). We are not to judge others, but we are to be gracious. We can confidently leave all of the judging to Jesus. "Just As I Am" by Charlotte Elliot 1. Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 2. Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 3. Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 5. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 6. Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Thought for Today: Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.[Colossians 3:13]. Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for full-time Christian ministry in Kenya. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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