What Jesus Did! 'Don't Do It!' — Luke 6:37

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

[Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others, commanding,] "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven."
— Luke 6:37 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus isn't talking hypothetically. He is talking about a problem that has plagued our petty and vindictive human race for centuries. God doesn't want us judging people's motives and actions. Only he can see inside a person's heart. He loathes the all-too-human practice of judging others' intentions and deeds. We have no right to judge God's servants! If someone's actions are good and kind, we are to accept them as genuine. We are not to judge others. Jesus reminds us that the spirit of judgment with which we treat others will also be the spirit of judgment that becomes the standard others and God will use to judge us. Instead, we are to be a forgiving people because we know the transforming power of God's forgiveness!

Today's Prayer

Father of glory, I pray intentionally and specifically for the forgiveness and blessing of those who have wronged me or those I love. Forgive me for judging their motives and assuming their intentions. Please give me the courage and the Spirit of Christ that I need as I seek to be as gracious to others as Jesus has been to me. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

High Cost Forgiveness?
Article by Ron Rose
Is it really worth the cost? Ron Rose reminds us of the need to forgive, not just because we are commanded but because we are imprisoned in bitterness when we don't.
Church Taters
Article by Mike Barres
What kind of church tater are you? Let's not be critical people -- Taters in chruch parlance.
The Mercy Bank
Article by Mike Barres
How well do you show genuine mercy toward those who let you down? We have to show mercy to others when they let us down because we need mercy for our mistakes and mess ups!

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:37 NLT — "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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