“Only God can judge me” is often used as a “spiritual do not disturb sign” but what Jesus teaches is that self examination must come before correction. This weekend Pastor Joaquin Pardo continued our (RE)FORMATION series with a message from Jesus’ Sermon On the Mount.
Matthew 7:1–3
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
1) The standard you set will be used against you.
When we judge others harshly, we invite that same measure onto ourselves. That way of living creates a culture that eventually turns on itself. This is not the way of Jesus. He invites us to participate in this new Kingdom culture.
Kingdom culture is loving, not hateful.
Kingdom culture is patient, not reactive.
Kingdom culture is authentic, not fake.
Kingdom culture is humble, not hypocritical.
2) “I’m not as bad as them” reveals how broken I really am.
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Comparison doesn’t lead to righteousness, it leads to self-deception. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned.” Grace puts us all on level ground because at the foot of the cross there is only one category: people in need of a savior.
3) You can’t help others if you’re not honest with yourself.
Jesus tells us to deal with our own plank before touching anyone else’s speck. Pretending to be someone you’re not or pretending you have it all together can hurt people. Allow Jesus to do the work “in” you so that he can work “through” you.
4) Jesus can handle the speck and the plank.
You don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to Jesus. He’s not offended by your mess—He came to carry it.
Don’t play God. Let Him do what only He can do.
