SEPTEMBER 2
MATTHEW 7:1_Judge not…
Mercy sakes, if there is any phrase that is overplayed in our time it is, “Don’t judge me!”
Judging was not a part of Jesus’ agenda. John 12:47-48 (KJV), “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” Judgment was a part of the old covenant. When Jesus taught this sermon, He taught Law transformation. He transformed the Law with mercy. Jesus’ presence in the world is how mercy was added. This is how Jesus became the perfect balance of judgment and mercy.
Jesus did not take away judgment, He just added mercy. “48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
When Jesus went back to heaven He had dramatically changed the world. He did it in a radical salty-lit-up fashion. His disciples should keep that world-changing alive in the same way. So, if Jesus was more mercy than judgment, that’s the life for salty-lit-up disciples.
In the short amount of time Jesus spent on the earth, He affected the world in a way no one else ever had.
John 12:19 (KJV), “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.”
Powerful!
PRAYER
Almighty God, I want to follow Your example of mercy, not judgment. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Christ changed the world—He calls me to!
The Works of Her Hands 