Date: Thursday, 4th October, 2024
Text: Matthew 7:1-5
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
In today’s text the Lord Jesus Christ taught us to abstain from judging or condemning others. He gave reasons- the way you judge others, will you be judged; the rules you used to condemn others will also be used by God against you. Does this mean God condones sin or wrongdoing? Certainly, not!
What Christ is simply saying is that instead of condemning others give room for mercy. Allow the spirit of forgiveness instead of vengeance. A very good illustration of this is found in John 8:1-11 where a woman was caught in the act of adultery.
The religious leaders had picked stones and were eager to condemn her according to the Law of Moses; and they wanted Jesus to give his verdict. But mercy prevailed over judgement and the Lord told them that the only person qualified to stone the woman to death was the one who had never sinned. Nobody was qualified except Christ himself alone.
The word of God says, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you”. Psalm 130:3-4. Again the scriptures say, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:8-10
Jesus told the adulterous woman to go and forsake her sinful lifestyle- John 8:11. Though she escaped the first time, she may not be lucky to keep escaping if she continue with her sinful lifestyle.
God expects us to show mercy in our dealings with others because, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Reflective Nugget: God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment- James 2:13.