Someone has said, “There are three reasons for relationship problems in the church: miscommunication - something is said but another heard it differently; malcommunication - what someone said wasn’t friendly; and noncommunication - can’t get along, so they stop talking to each other.
Jesus spoke to the multitudes in a way that convicted, or condemned. They would either accept what Jesus said or they would reject His words.
Jesus says in Matthew 7:1-2, “Don’t pass judgment on others. Then you won’t be condemned. You will be judged by the standard which you use to judge others. You will be measured by the measure you use to measure others.” It has been said that this is one of the most misused verses in the Bible.
True, we aren’t appointed as judge over others, but God’s Word helps us make judgments about words, lifestyles, religious practices and other works. If we can’t know what’s right and what’s wrong, then why did God send Jesus, the Message?
“In the beginning, there was the Message. The Message was with God. The Message was deity. He was with God in the beginning. Through him everything was made. Without him nothing which has happened would have happened. He was the source of life. That life was light for people” (John 1:1-4).
If we can’t know what’s right and what’s wrong, then why did God give us His truth, the Bible? Jesus prayed to the Father, “Your message is the truth. May the truth make them holy!” (John 17:17)
Only God’s standard will make eternal judgments of all men (Romans 2:1-4). Please read this carefully in your own Bible.
Look at Jesus’ words of instruction in Matthew 7:3-5. This is a word picture. “Why do you see the small speck which is in your brother’s eye, but you don’t notice the wooden pole which is in your own eye?
“Or, how can you say this to your brother: ‘Let me take that little speck out of your own eye!’? When, look, there is a wooden pole in your own eye! You are a hypocrite! First, take the pole out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” This person is judgmental of another, but the same substance/obstacle - “pole” - is in his or her eye.
Jesus simply wants all guilty people to repent. Sin separates you from God. Change your heart and mind today, while there’s time!
“The person who rejects me and does not accept my words has something to condemn him – the very message which I spoke. That message will condemn him on the last day.” (John 12:48) Be sure to get right with God!