Have you ever been guilty of judging someone?  I think it's pretty safe to safe that we have all done it.  I know I have been guilty of it many times.

Luke 6: 37-38 tells us:  "Do not judge and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you".

Now, I know that you can recall a time in your life when you witnessed someone do something, or heard of someone doing something that was wrong that you simply did not agree with.  You did it, you judged them.  Every one of us has the potential to make mistakes and we will continue to make them along the way.  However, in the grand scheme of things, if you look at you life as a fruit bearing tree for a moment, our relationship with God and our goal is to produce good fruit.  When we look at a tree's fruit, we do not look at one moment in time, rather a period of production.  The fruit reveals the nature of the root, and each tree is recognized by its own fruit.  Bad trees do not produce good fruit, nor do good trees produce bad fruit.  What I am trying to say here is that it comes from the heart.  The product of life reflects the heart, or our inner character and what Jesus calls the treasure of the heart. 

Now, think back to a time when someone has judged you.  This undoubtedly will not be very hard for you to remember, and it is probably still very tender and fresh in your mind no matter how long ago it happened.  When judging us it is almost impossible for them to; #1 have all the facts and truth of what happened; and #2 often times they are judging you based on their self constructed opinions of reality.  It took me a long time to realize that it is not my place to judge others.  I will profess to you that within myself, I have an incredible feeling of liberation and peace in releasing those judgments to God.  To be able to give it over to Him will relieve so much tension and stress in your life.  So think about how you felt deep inside when someone judged you.  I know how it feels as I am sure you do as well.  I know the treasure of my heart is good, and you know the treasure of your heart is good, but that still does not take away the pain of being judged by someone.  So the next time you are quick to judge, think of how it hurt when you were the one that was judged.

Now to help us understand this verse a little more, let's define some of the terms used in it.

• A good measure: This refers to purchasing a commodity of some sort where the amount measured out is not short, skimpy, or even fair, but a good measurement.
• Pressed down: The grain in the measuring container is pressed down, so that all the spaces are filled and the container holds as much as possible.
• Shaken together: The measuring container is shaken, so that the grain can fill every empty space.
• Running over: The container is filled and the top is a rounded heap so great that it overflows the container.
• Will be poured into your lap: The picture is of this measure now being poured in the individual's container which is the fold of his outer garment. Between the shoulders and the belt, this outer cloak would be loose and could form a kind of pocket into which this measurement could be poured.
• Finally... For measure you use: If we judge, condemn and withhold forgiveness, the same will happen to us. 

My friends, God will deal with us this way.  Our behavior towards others determines God's behavior towards us.

Matthew 5:  12, 14, 15 tells us:
"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you."
"But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

You see, God prefers to act in Mercy, but those of us that want to put another on trial, simply invite God to put them on trial, and he who condemns another for his failings, invites God to condemn him for his own failings.  How do you prefer to act?  In mercy...... or are you quick to judge.

One last verse I want to share with you, tells me that Paul understood the Gospel.  He got it! 

1 Corinthians 4: 4-5
"My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God."