“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt 7:1; NKJV). Jesus cautions us to avoid judging and condemning others for faults we may perceive they have. None of us are perfect and we should consider our own faults before we criticize others (Matt 7:3). We are not to speak evil of anyone (Titus 3:2; James 4:11). God is the ultimate judge not us (2 Cor 5:10).
However, within the church there will be situations where we are to judge
and discipline (1 Cor 5:12). Jesus gave us clear direction for dealing with someone who has done us wrong (Matt 18:15-17). Firstly, we go to them ourselves, if we can’t bring resolution, we ask one or two others to help settle things. As a last resort the church leadership should be involved to judge in the matter, discover the truth and decide on corrective discipline if justified. In all judgement the primary goals have to be forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration (Gal 6:1; James 5:19-20). If we don’t forgive, God cannot forgive us (Mark 11:26). Restoration needs to be approached in a “spirit of gentleness” or meekness (Gal 6:1; NKJV). Meekness is power under perfect control. The Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus (John 8:3-11). She could have been stoned for her sin but Jesus responded by saying, let him that has no sin throw the first rock. None did and Jesus didn’t condemn her but simply told her to sin no more. No judgementalism, just compassion, forgiveness, integrity, discipline and restoration.
Kindness is part of love, “Love endures long and is patient and kind” (1 Cor 13:4; AMPC). It is also a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). God is love (1 John 4:16) and He is kind. The Psalms talk a great deal about the lovingkindness of God. “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever” (Ps 136:1; AMPC). The second half of that sentence is repeated in every verse of all 26 verses in that Psalm!
In the Old
Testament we read about the kindness of Boaz to Ruth (Ruth 2:5-23). In the New Testament Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. I’m sure we are all familiar with that story, the point being that the Samaritan, from a race hated by the Jews, was the only one who “did the kindness with him” (Luke 10:37; YLT). Jesus followed those words with these, “Go and do likewise.” In Acts 9:36 we read about Dorcas, who was, “always doing kind things for others and helping the poor” (NLT). Eph 4:32 tells us to “be kind to one another” and Col 3:12 tells us to clothe ourselves with a number of things, one of which is kindness.
Did you know there is a week in the year called Random Acts of Kindness week? Next year it is the week from February 14-20, 2025. What a great idea! I don’t know about you but my goal is to make every week a Random Act of Kindness week!