Hypocrisy

Matthew 7:1-5

The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Matthew 7:2)

JESUS CAME INTO THIS world not to judge it, but to save it (John 3:17), and he sends his followers into the world in the same spirit. So it should be no surprise that he comes down hard on judgmental hearts and hypocritical words. His instructions are sharply pointed; we are not called to be critics of those around us.

Jesus’ harshest words were directed at those who laid the heavy burden of perfection on others without acknowledging their own imperfections. His warnings about judging others are directed at our natural human tendency to judge, but that’s the point; he is calling his followers to a supernatural lifestyle. It’s the fallen nature that picks at the flaws of other people without being aware of its own. Far too many Christians shake their heads at adulterers and murderers without any apparent awareness that the lust and anger in their own hearts come from the very same roots. Every whisper of condemnation, every morsel of gossip, every “I can’t believe he/she did that” comes from a heart that could have done the same thing. Jesus’ harsh words were aimed at the upstanding citizens who wanted a moral society without addressing the sins of their own hearts.

Jesus did not rule out the need for discernment or right judgment, of course. Far from it. But even if we live an almost-perfect, supernatural lifestyle of wisdom, power, and love, we must remember where we come from. We must know what we were redeemed from. And we must know we owe it to every other human being to extend grace for where he or she is.

Be known for grace. In certain conditions, any one of us could end up where others have ended up. And when given grace, anyone can still end up thoroughly forgiven and cleansed. Refuse to cement people where they are; instead bring them toward the fountain of grace. Even more, be one.

{Lord, your desire for every human being is to know who you are and receive forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. Grant me deep conviction whenever I am not assisting that desire. Give me eyes to see what grace looks like in every situation and to embody it well. Amen.