What if we are judged in the end not by God’s standard but by our own standard? What if there was a hidden recorder that recorded everything we have ever said about others (gossips, putdowns, compliments), and we ourselves were judged by THAT standard?

Ever made fun of somebody’s intelligence? – “He’s so dumb!”, “Why doesn’t he get it?”, “My dog knows better than him!” What if we were judged by that standard for all the times when we didn’t get it and were afraid to ask for fear that others would think of us stupid?

Ever derided a celebrity’s outrageous behaviors and their spoiled brattiness? What if we were judged according to that standard of all the times we’ve sinned in secret and have gone back to the same vomit over and over?

Ever ridiculed somebody’s looks? If you became that leading actor/actress, how many flaws would you pick out on your own appearance?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matt 7:1-2

This is NOT saying that we should not judge at all. It is only saying HOW we should judge – that we should discern and analyze graciously and helpfully rather than harshly and hypocritically. “With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you!” That sure sounds like we will be judged by our own standard!

Imagine someone else talking about you the way you talk about them. Is that pleasant? Is that loving? It it grace filled? Would you want others to talk about you behind your back the way you talk about others behind their backs?

What if Christ treated us the way we treated that nuisance of a person? We would only have ourselves to blame since God would only be using our own standard to judge us!

Two choices on this: 1) Live perfectly so that your own words cannot be used to condemn yourself. Or 2) Speak graciously and mercifully knowing that you will be judged by that standard!

PH