Who are You to Judge?

Probably the best known and loved Bible verse among Christians is John 3:16 which is a wonderful summary of God’s love for us in Christ. Perhaps the best known and loved verse among non-Christians is Luke 7:37, “Do not judge and you will not be judged.” Jesus is not, however, saying that we should never make a moral evaluation. Rather He is talking about a harsh judgmentalism into which it is easy for us to fall. Calvin warns, “This vice is attended by some strange enjoyment. For there is hardly any person who is not tickled with the desire of inquiring into other people’s faults”.

Jesus calls us to replace an attitude of condemnation with forgiveness and grace. He also shows how we need to choose teachers and leaders who will guide us according to God’s mercy and love.