Part 5 Nobody's Perfect

"Judge not, that you be not judged" (7:1).

If we do not like to be judged, then we should be careful about how we judge others. Jesus said, "Judge righteous judgement" (Jn 7:24). It is easy to see what is wrong with others, and still be blind to what is wrong with ourselves (Read Rom 2:1-3). Even Christ knew that the only fair way he could judge was to apply precepts (ie. the Truth) fairly and equally to both sides of an issue (Jn 12:47).

"For God will judge you in the same way you judge others and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others" (7:2).

"Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap (Gal 6:7-9)." The teachings of Christ are the Cornerstone (or measuring stick) by which to judge all actions. If we sow only the words of Christ, we will convict and save the world, without merely condemning (Jn 3:17-21). But beware of having a harsh and uncompassionate attitude towards others, or God may not be so merciful to us!

"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?" (7:3)

Looking at others will make us self-righteous if we think we are better, or depressed if we think we are worse. Paul warned against congratulating ourselves on the basis of comparisons with other people ( II Cor 10:12). Better to compare ourselves with the perfect Son of God. There is only a speck of difference between the best of us and the worst of us compared with the difference between the best of us and Jesus! The best man on earth is like a filthy menstruous rag to God (Is 64:6). When God looked for a perfect man, everyone he found was filthy (Ps 4:2-3). "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)." We should not be proud of how spiritual we think we are compared to others.

"Or how will you say to your brother, Let me take that speck out of your eye; when you have a log in your own eye?" (7:4)

Religion focuses on all the wrong issues. Jesus called it "straining at gnats and swallowing camels" (Mt. 23:24). The church has made mountains out of molehills, while ignoring the great issues Jesus raised. We may be even more sinful than most churches but it will not make what Christ said any less true. Jesus is the Plank, or Log in our eyes. He is the Mountain over which we stumble. He is Camel we try to devour. He is the Cornerstone we cast aside. You and I, and our comparative goodness are but specks... molehills... gnats by comparison.

"You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (7:5)."

Hypocrisy makes us blind to our own faults and causes us to attack others for the wrong things that are going on in our own hearts. We will do more harm than good to others if our attitude is wrong, and we go about trying to correct those people.

"The time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God" (I Pt 4:17). How can we judge the world justly if we haven't learned to judge ourselves first? (I Cor 6:2-3). The message of mercy and forgiveness has been reserved for those who fill the offering plates, while the general public is hit with campaigns against gambling, nudity, and drinking. But Christ is famous for his friendly associations with publicans, prostitutes, and winebibbers. In the light of what Jesus actually did teach, right wing religious conservatives need converting as much as atheists!

"Give not that which is holy to dogs, do not throw your pearls before pigs, they will only trample them under their feet and turn and attack you" (7:6).

Jesus said that his teachings about the Kingdom of God are like the greatest pearl in the world, which a man will sell everything he owns to possess (Mt 13:45-46). But pigs and dogs have no use for pearls. They cannot see the value of Christ's words, so they will twist, contradict, and try to destroy them. "Dogs" are people who use religion to attack and condemn other people (Ph 3:2). Such religious pride is a heap of (sorry, we can't say the word Christ would have used here, because religious people invariably throw out everything else we say in this book to register shock at the word... another case of straining at gnats to swallow camels!) Anyway, it's a heap of defecation compared to the teachings of Christ (Ph 3:5-8). Pigs and dogs have as much respect for Christ's teachings as we have for their vomit (II Pt 2:20-22). We do not need to argue with people. (I Tim 6:3-5). Do not waste time trying to convince religious people that you are right. Look instead, for the people who are hungry for the truth and not full of their own self-righteousness (Mt 9:13).

"Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be open to you" (7:7).

If you are hungry for God's love then all you need to do is ask. But Jesus knew we couldn't be perfect on our own, so he died as payment in advance for all our sins. You cannot earn this forgiveness. Just ASK for it and God gives it to you. God promises to answer our deepest spiritual and material needs if we simply ask, seek and knock.

"For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find and the door will be opened to those who knock" (7:8).

The world needs love more than anything else. "God is love" (I Jn 4:8). Even when we are not loving, God still loves us. "Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us" (I Jn 4:10). Each of us needs this love every day of our lives. "Let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" (Rev 22:17). We are ALL filthy rotten sinners, and we are ALL filthy rotten hypocrites before God.

"Would a father give his son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would he give him a snake when he asks for fish?" (7:9-10).

Parents know what is good for their children, and are pleased to give them good things. But they will not give their children anything that is harmful. So, if you want your prayers answered, ask for the right things. "You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may satisfy your lusts" (James 4:3). Some people are afraid to leave everything and start on a spiritual journey in case they receive something bad, but God will never deceive us. Trust God to protect you from all evil.

"As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" (7:11)

Luke replaces the words "good things" with "the Holy Spirit" in this passage (Lk 11:13). Wealth was not the "good things" Jesus offered. God's Holy Spirit of Love is his "good thing." A man once asked, "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" Jesus replied, "Sell whatever you own and give to the poor and come follow me." If we ask God for faith and love to do that good thing, he promises to give it!

"Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets" (7:12).

The whole Bible is about love. We don't need much theology to love our neighbour Even the heretical Good Samaritan (who belonged to the wrong religion) showed that (Lk 10:33-37). We will make lots of mistakes, but if we sincerely want to love God and others then we have what the Bible is all about (Mt 22:37-40). And if we do not want to do these good things, we are blind! (I Jn 4:20)