Do Not Judge, Luke 6:37

As I have grown older and more self-reflective, I have also become more aware of the disconnect between what I say and what I do; between what I know to be good and true, and what I often do. For example, when I read and study the scriptures, their wisdom so often fills my mind and my heart with joy and wonder. But more often than not, they also fill me with a humbling recognition of how far I have yet to go toward being the person that God wants me to be. I am challenged by the scriptures and by my deepening prayer life to confront and address my own still profound weaknesses. This passage from Luke’s Gospel is especially challenging to me, and by the evidence, it seems to be very challenging to most of us.

“Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Lk 6:37). This passage is included in Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount. That sermon, in its entirety, is a powerful catechism for understanding what a disciple of Christ’s life can and should be like. It alone demands our real, intense, and prayerful reflection. This one short verse in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount is a good example of what kind of character traits, what kind of self-discipline one must habitually practice to be called a true disciple of Jesus Christ. When I read these words, my mind recognizes their wisdom and is edified. But in honest self-reflection, I become very aware of how often and how readily and quickly I fall into the ugly habits of judging and condemning others, and I am filled with remorse. The habits of judging and condemning seem all too common. How often am I affected by the modeling of those around me, or society in general, as opposed to by the example and the words of Jesus?

We see this kind of behavior all around us. More often than not, it seems, judging and condemning others has become so common that it has taken on the appearance of a virtue. It is as often as not an undisguised declaration of one’s presumed superiority, morally or socially, etc. Such judging and condemning can have only one real source, the sin of pride. That old whisper of the evil one is never far from us, is it? The result of this kind of behavior is always suffering. This is the thinking of the world, of the fallen world. It is not the mind of God. Jesus, once again, is challenging us here with the wisdom of God. He is calling on us to change our ways, to become true children of God, true disciples of Christ. And the promise that resides within our acceptance and practice of this wisdom is the promise of greater happiness in our lives here and now, and the future joy of eternal life in his presence in the kingdom of God.

“Forgive and you will be forgiven.” I see the wisdom of this. I understand it. But, honestly, I fall short of this ideal all too often as well. But our faith assures us of two things: God’s faithful presence, always and everywhere, and that God’s mercy and forgiveness are greater than all of our sins. His patience is eternal and his love unbounded. Each time we fail in the matters of judging and condemning others, when we feel even the slightest tinge of guilt and sorrow and turn to God for forgiveness, it is instantly given. His challenge remains, but God does not leave us to our own devices or strengths alone either. He responds with generosity and grace to even the slightest hint of our desire to turn to him for his aid. We can contemplate this call to forgiveness each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our trespasses, AS we forgive those who trespass against us” (Mt. 6:12). We are forgiven in the same measure as we have learned to forgive others. Our willing and humble cooperation with God’s wisdom is essential.

When we, by the grace of God, become painfully aware of our capacity, or our habits of judging and condemning others in thought, word, or deed, or of our tendency not to forgive, it is wise to turn to God to ask his forgiveness and to ask for his grace to help us in our efforts to turn away from such behaviors. Remember, too, that such habits are hard to break. We must first desire and be willing to commit to the change, then to take the small steps of developing new habits with patient endurance and trusting in God’s grace to help us along the way. Take even the smallest steps, and don’t worry about who notices or how much attention you are getting. Like any new seed, simply sow it and leave the rest to the mercy, grace, and providence of God.