Title: You Are Good
Contents
Do your best (Matthew 7:1-6)
There are many cases where such an accidental mistake becomes an opportunity for reversal. However, there are conditions for such a mistake to become a phone violation. It means you shouldn't blame your mistakes. Rather, it should encourage mistakes and give them new courage and strength.
In today's text, Jesus tells us not to judge. “Judge not, lest you be judged. With the judgment with which you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure with which you measure, it will be measured to you.” Criticism starts by trying to correct what is wrong in the first place. Point out what's wrong. You can point out harshly or point out softly. When they point out the wrongdoing of their subordinates, they scold and scold them. You will complain to your superiors. You will be critical of the person you are in an equal relationship with. But the problem is that when you criticize, emotions arise. It is necessary to point out in order to correct what is wrong. However, if you point it out, you will go beyond what is wrong and touch the wrong person. It's not a sin, but if you touch someone, things get bigger. It has destructive power. So emotional criticism destroys relationships. This is often the case with couples fighting. It starts with something unsatisfying. In the end, it undermines the other person's personality. Even the in-laws and in-laws are mentioned. The fight gets bigger and bigger and harder to deal with.
The important word here is the word counting. This word means yardstick. We have our own standards for judging others. This is the standard by which God judges me. How will God judge me? It is surprising that I am the standard by which I judge others. It is the standard by which I condemned and criticized others. If I have been kind to you, God is also tolerant of me. If I treat others harshly, God judges me harshly. The word ‘criticism’ in this text is close to the meaning of judgment. A more precise literal translation is the word condemnation. In other words, it is the eschatological judgment that sets us up in one line and judges us at the end of the world. No one can judge. You may have to be someone who has the power to judge.
In court, it is the judge who decides the quarrel. Judges can't do anything. You don't know how difficult it is to become a judge. You have to pass the difficult bar exam. This bar exam is up to the 3rd exam. And those who pass the exam will have to study for several more years at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Then, depending on the results of the bar exam and the Judicial Research and Training Institute, you are divided into judges, prosecutors and lawyers. Among applicants, judges must be within the top 10% of their grades. That doesn't mean you'll be a judge. Also, for a while, as a preliminary judge, I have to learn and watch what my seniors do in court. In this way, you will be issued a judge's order only when the report is passed and passed. When you become a judge, there are three judges in the courtroom. The middle judge is the chief judge. And there is one left and one right-handed judge. Among them, the chief judge prepares the judgment and makes the final judgment.
Judges have an important task of making final decisions in legal disputes. During the trial, the judge reviews all laws and circumstances and makes a final decision. That is why all decisions of judges must be fair and accurate. Once a judge has made a decision, it remains as precedent and affects all decisions thereafter. That's why the process of appointing one judge is so complicated. The judge decides that the guilty person is a sinner. And the punishment is determined according to the sin. Therefore, it is extremely burdensome to use terms such as judgment or condemnation.
In today's text, Jesus' words not to criticize should be read with that weight. People recklessly judge and judge people's sins. They judge without thinking deeply. So it's easy to get hurt. Once the wounds of the heart are scratched, they cannot be undone. If you want to judge others, you have to be qualified. But do you judge others because you are older, because you are strong, or because you came first? People are comfortable judging themselves. If it harms you, it is evil; if it helps you, it is good. Judging by this standard is assault.
But how much more can we, as Christians, judge and criticize carelessly? If the world has laws, we have God. We must have God as our standard. We must also be able to see our neighbors according to the standards that God judges. What is the opposite of criticism? It is forgiveness. You are wrong, but you should be able to forgive generously. Today's text expands on our second petition in the Lord's Prayer, the petition for forgiveness of sins. What is the petition for forgiveness of sins in the Lord's Prayer? “Forgive us our sins. We will forgive those who have sinned against us.”
Let's look again at today's text 7:1. “Judge not, lest you be judged.” If you don't criticize others, you won't be criticized either. If you forgive others, you will also be forgiven. “With the judgment with which you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure that you measure, it will be measured to you.” <Matthew 7:2>
Not all criticism is bad. There is a pure function of criticism. Without a critique function in a society, it collapses. The title of my friend's graduate thesis is “A Study on the Christian Education Model of Critical Peace Education”. This is a thesis that studies how to use criticism effectively in education. Criticism can be used to transform society. However, today's words apply within the scope of the Christian community. Because verses 3 through 5 use the name brother.
In other words, criticism in the church has more adverse functions than good functions. It is better not to criticize at all in the church. So, what do you do when something goes wrong? For once, be patient. There are two sides to anything. Looking back, there is something to praise. In the midst of misfortune, there is always happiness. You have to look at the good things big and the bad things small. That is faith.
It's not the wolf that hurts the church. It's a different amount. So, members of the church should be careful with each other. Treating people the way you do at home and in society can hurt you badly. Now, I will give you tips on how to resolve conflicts in the church.
First, I hope you find something you can share and acknowledge each other's differences.
A division arises when he insists on a style and method he likes. Therefore, we must not insist on our own opinions, but work together to achieve good by any means. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” <Romans 8:28>
Second, have realistic expectations.
Pursuing ideals while criticizing is immature. On the other hand, compromising on reality without striving for ideals is only self-satisfaction.
If you get hurt or have a conflict in the church, you escape from the church. However, you will soon be disappointed again. Because there is no perfect church. Every church has its own weaknesses and problems. God knows it all. So, it is the church's job to reconcile and resolve those conflicts and problems.
Vaughn Hooper said: Anyone who loves their dreams of community more than they do is a destroyer of that community.
Third, encourage rather than criticize.
If other members criticize what they have done in true faith, they are interfering with the work of God. Now let all the time we spend comparing and accusing us to fellowship, to unity, and to encouraging our brethren.
Fourth, do not listen to gossip.
Gossip should not only be spread, but should not be listened to. Listening to gossip is like receiving stolen goods. “Do not associate with one with open lips, for the one who goes about talking about it reveals the secrets of others.” <Proverbs 20:19>
If anyone is spreading gossip, ask them to stop. He is someone who can gossip about us too.
Fifth, if there is a conflict, let the church know so that we can find a solution.
It is human nature to complain to third parties when conflict arises. But this only makes the situation worse. Therefore, the first step is to first meet personally with the person involved. If you are still unable to solve the problem on your own, you can seek help from Church leaders. The biblical method is to inform the church and find a solution quickly.
Sixth, support pastors and leaders.
“Be obedient and subject to those who lead you. They watch for your souls as those who will give account. Let them do this with joy, and not with sorrow, otherwise it is of no benefit to you.” <Hebrews 13:17>
Verse 6 at the end of the text tells us not to give holy things to dogs or pearls to pigs. Dogs and pigs never change. Giving your dog something holy will only drive him crazy. The truth is not everyone's. Trying to change someone who doesn't want to change will only cause a fight. In the end, the truth becomes a treasure to those who want to change and give up their stubbornness or thoughts. If he closes his heart and does not move, he will soon become an outline pig.