Our whole life is filled with choices and the need to judge them. As we see in the last chapter on Habakkuk, judging is paramount in our lives. So then why in the world would we throw away our ability to judge when it comes to judging others. Let us jump into the verse first and then do the explaining along the way.

Matthew 7:1
1. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Do not stand up for or against anything. If you think you are right, be quiet. If you think they are wrong, hush up. Be a spineless jellyfish and keep your big trap shut. That is what Jesus did, didn’t he? No! If this is all you read in this section of verses then that is the conclusion you come to. It is the favorite verse of anyone who thinks that your convictions are wrong and they do not want you telling them otherwise. Do not judge! Do not judge! The bible says not to judge. However, that is not what the whole verse says. In addition, it sure is not what the rest of the verses say after it.

Look at it again. Do not judge, or you to will be judged. So? What do you mean, “So”? Do you have a problem being judged? It kept me from sticking things in electrical outlets when I was little because my momma wouldn't let me. It kept me from being killed by a car because she wouldn't let me play in the street. It helped me to get an education because my dad wouldn't let me skip school. It helped me become a better driver because the police officer wouldn't give me a passing grade unless I obeyed all the laws of the road. It helped me keep my first job by making me do what I was told to do in a timely and orderly fashion. It causes tension in my marriage when areas of my life that need to be dealt with are exposed, but am I going to throw a hissy fit and run off my wife or am I going to deal with it. It happens every day in my personal walk with God. He is all the time judging me. Am I going to open my eyes wide and with raised eyebrows point my little finger at God and say “Judge not, judge not?”

Come on, give me a break.

Yes, we are all just humans and no, none of us is perfect but are we going to throw down one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal against sin and allow the enemy to pick it up and use it against us?

You see, if it was not for the fact the God judges us we would not know that we too can judge. In the very act of judging, a choice is created that was not there before, a choice that I know as Grace.

I have a lot to say on the subject of Grace and will many times refer to it as though you understand what I am saying, so I appologize now for this cunumdrum and will later explain the way I see Grace.