Scripture to Read: Luke 6:37
Jesus’ teaching is often taken out of context, as people try to find a loophole into being able to live an ungodly lifestyle. As God led Luke to write, we read in Luke 6:37, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.” This is a verse people love to quote as if Jesus were saying to just accept people and not hold them accountable for any lifestyle they choose. But of course, that is definitely not what Jesus taught. What Jesus was talking about is unjustly judging others. A great example of unjust judgment is found in Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:1–9, and John 12:1–8, where Mary anointed Jesus’ head and feet before His crucifixion. The disciples (specifically Judas Iscariot) were indignant, claiming the perfume could have been sold for three hundred denarii and given to help poor people. Jesus said that what she had done was good and that she would be spoken of wherever the gospel was preached. Our Lord expects us to hold each other accountable as we grow in our walk with Him. We must do it as God tells us in Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” We are to seek to restore those who have fallen in a spirit of gentleness while examining our own hearts to stay pure as well.
Challenge & Application
What did you learn about judging and not judging according to God’s Word?
How have you been able to gently restore someone, or how have you been gently restored after falling?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!