1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.

The call is not not-to-judge, for later on in SOTM, we are called to discern about false prophets. IMO, it is about a critical judgmental attitude vs. discerning attitudes. An interesting question to be raised here: you be not judged? by who? man or God?


2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

we have to see what we SHOULD REJECT as interpretation... to be judged by man(with the intention of doing good to others , hence receiving that sort of 'goodness' from others...) should be rejected. Rather it is a reflection of what God had done for us, and what expectations he has to extend that sort of justice and mercy towards others.

another interpretation (which many fall into) is that the assumption that we can control or manipulate God into giving his mercies to us. Once and for all, we are justified by faith, not works(as catholics believed) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. What does it mean then?

Being grace receivers , we should be grace releasers ...



Mercy by definition cannot be earned. But we may exclude ourselves from mercy by sustained haughtiness and arrogance, by an attitude which reflects the antithesis of true poverty of spirit. God, in fact, exercises both justice and mercy, even toward his own people (of this i shall say more at the beginning of the next chapter). Therefore, his people must reflect God's character by living justly and showing mercy. And because they are conscious of their own shortcomings and rebellion, they cannot but be profoundly grateful for mercy they have experienced even while they strive for perfection and magnify holiness. This balanced perspective keeps them both from a judgmental spirit and from moral apathy.

DA Carson 's SOTM , pg 101

Discerning but not neglecting the truth. Loving justice and loving mercy. Being righteous but gracious at the same time. God help me...


3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.