Understanding Judgment, Love, and Our Role Among Others
Seeing Ourselves and Others Clearly
You may have heard the saying, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” At its heart, this isn’t just a warning—it’s a lesson about humility and love. Imagine calling out a tiny mistake in someone else, while ignoring a much bigger issue in yourself. It’s like pointing out a speck of dust in a friend’s eye, while you’ve got a whole plank in your own. Before trying to fix someone else, we need to look honestly at ourselves first.
Living with Jesus, Not Above Others
Sometimes, it’s easy to think that being a disciple—a follower of Jesus—makes you “better” than those who aren’t. But Jesus teaches that our only real strength comes from being close to Him, not from holding ourselves above anyone else. We’re not supposed to judge others, or act like we have special powers or privileges over them. If we do, we risk separating ourselves not just from our neighbors, but also from Jesus Himself.
Why Judging Is So Problematic
Judging others creates distance. When we decide someone is “bad” or “wrong,” we’re standing apart from them, not beside them. Jesus wants us to offer unconditional love—to see everyone as someone who deserves grace, just like we do. Real love doesn’t have time to stand back and analyze; it steps forward, ready to help and forgive.
What About Evil and Sin?
You might wonder: If someone does something wrong, shouldn’t we call it out for their own good? Jesus’s love for sinners is powerful—it condemns the sin, but it also offers forgiveness and a chance to change. Our job isn’t to set up rules or judge others; instead, we should recognize that we all have faults. When we’re tempted to judge, we should look within and be honest about our own shortcomings.
Handling the Message of Faith
Jesus also says, “Don’t give what is holy to the dogs, or cast your pearls before swine.” This means we can’t force faith or goodness onto someone who doesn’t want it. Trying to push our beliefs on others can backfire—it can make them reject what we’re offering, and even turn against us. Instead, we’re called to share our faith wisely, respecting when people aren’t ready to hear it. Sometimes, walking away is the right choice, as long as we remain true to the message of love and forgiveness.
Prayer: The Disciple’s True Power
When we hit a wall with others, our real power is in prayer. We don’t have special rights over anyone, and we can’t change hearts by force. But we can pray—asking, seeking, knocking—and trust that God hears us. It’s not about winning arguments or converting people by sheer willpower; it’s about bringing our concerns to God, who can open doors in ways we cannot.
The Golden Rule
At the end of the day, Jesus gives us a simple rule: “Do to others what you’d want them to do to you.” If you wouldn’t want to be judged harshly, don’t judge others. If you’d want forgiveness, offer it freely. This rule levels the playing field—we’re all imperfect, all in need of grace, and all called to love one another as ourselves.
Conclusion: One Law, One Grace
Discipleship isn’t about having special privileges or standing above unbelievers. It’s about walking with Jesus, loving others as He loves us, and recognizing that we’re all in need of forgiveness. The only “advantage” we have is knowing the source of true love and grace. When we treat everyone as we wish to be treated, we live out the heart of Jesus’s teaching.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 