Matthew 7:1

 Matthew 7:1 says, Judge not, that ye be not judged.  Jesus made a very clear statement that we are not to judge others.  I believe this means to not judge others morality from an attitude of moral superiority.  Verse two adds, For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  Jesus tells us if we judge others harshly or unfairly then we should expect to be judged harshly and unfairly.  I don't believe that this means that we cannot tell someone that what they are doing is wrong under God's law, but instead means when we do that we are to do so out of love so that they can be restored to a right relationship with God, not so that we can condemn them.  Verse three asks, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?   Jesus asked a question that would require reflection on the part of the one answering it.  He asked them why they saw a small sin in others but were not able to see a large sin in their own life.  Since we are all sinners, we are not called on to judge others, especially other Christians.  Verse four adds, Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Jesus continued by asking if they would offer to help the other person with the mote in their eye, or small sin, while ignoring the beam, or big sin, in their own life.  We need to be more concerned with our own relationship with God than we are with the relationship of others with God when it comes to judging actions.  Verse five declares, Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.  Jesus tells us that we must first examine our own relationship with Christ, and when it is right, then we can help others deal with sin in their life.  We still are not to sit in judgment, but I believe that when we have our relationship with Christ correct, then the Holy Spirit will guide us in our helping others.  Verse six states, Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  Jesus tells us to not give things dedicated to God to the dogs and not to cast our pearls, or precious things, before swine.  I believe that as followers of Christ we are holy, or set aside for God, and since we are, we are not to put ourselves in a position where we are once again under the power of sin.  We are always to strive to maintain a relationship with God that guides our everyday life.  Verse seven proclaims, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  I believe that too often people want to interpret this as meaning that if we want anything as Christians that we simply have to ask God for it, but I believe that this refers to asking God in faith for the things that we need and not just for the things that we want and desire.  Verse eight adds, For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Again, I believe that this is referring to asking for spiritual things and material needs, and not for material things that we may just desire.  Verse nine asks, Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Again, Jesus asked a question, which requires a personal answer.  Who would give their son a stone if he asked for bread?  If we would not do this, then think of how much more our heavenly Father would not.  Verse ten adds, Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  Fish and bread were not riches, but were things needed for everyday life  God does not promise us riches, but promises to meet our needs if we only ask Him.  Verse eleven continues, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Jesus said that if we, being evil sinful people know how to give good gifts, then how much more does our heaveny Father.  This requires first that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and then that we ask God for what we need believing by faith that He will supply our needs.  Verse twelve concludes, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  This is another way of stating that we are to do unto others and we want them to do unto us.  This does not say that we are to treat others the way that they treat us, but that we are to treat others the way we want to be treated by them, even if they may mistreat us.