Weekly Devotional: Understanding Sin and Judgement

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?” – Matthew 7:1-4

In Matthew 7:1–4, Jesus exposes our desire to condemn others without examining our own hearts before the Lord. When we look for flaws in others without bothering to search for our own wrongdoings, we are exhibiting pride. Jesus warns us against such hypocrisy.

We are being measured, not by others, but by God. When we judge one another, this builds anger and unfaithful desires in our hearts, which affect us spiritually and can be detrimental to our relationships. Instead, we must live by faith and begin to live in Christ instead of in judgment. When we get ourselves right with the Lord, we are better able to help our brothers and sisters in Christ–not in judgment, but in love.

Live by Faith

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

In God’s eyes, sin is sin, no matter what the person has done. If it is against His commands, the law condemns us as sinners. Therefore, we are all in need of God’s grace through his Son, Jesus – the true atonement for our sins. Without Christ, we all fall short of God’s standard of holiness. However, by trusting in Jesus as our Savior, we can be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit to live in obedience, faith and love.

When we live by faith, we see that God has taken care of everything and that we need not worry about other people’s sin but rather should focus on how to deal with our own. Confronting our sins brings us into closer relationship with God and empowers us to abide in God’s word. We have been crucified with Christ, and because of that, he lives in us forever. Therefore, instead of rushing to judgment, be quick to help one another and show each other the true hope you can savor by living in Christ.