Standards of Living

>“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”

(Romans 2:1 NIV)

Do we realize God’s judgment of men is according to our own standards? The Jews had eagerly consented to the condemnation of the Gentiles. They were elated in it. The Jew had cheerfully assumed the bench of the judge. He pronounced the Gentiles guilty of God’s eternal wrath. The Jew sentenced them to eternal suffering. However, in doing this the Jew condemned himself by placing himself under his own principles. Jesus taught;

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.” (Matthew 7:1-2 NET).

By this our Lord meant that when we set ourselves over others as their judge, we have imposed upon ourselves the same standard of measurement. In our days of situational ethics and relativity, some tell us that they do not feel it is wrong to lie, to steal, or even commit adultery. We can well afford to be tolerant concerning our own behavior, but if we are consistent then we must agree that it is acceptable for our children to lie to us, for our neighbors to steal from us or for a friend to violate the sanctity of our marriage.

Reality is that no one reaches the standard…God’s holiness and perfection. He is not so interested in the standards we set for ourselves as those we set for others. It is by these standards that we ourselves will be judged by God. Very few of us would wish to be judged by these standards, but the Scriptures tell us this is the case. Since the Jews have passionately condemned the Gentiles, they have assumed for themselves the same standards. Yet they are blinded to this reality. Paul will soon explain that judgment will come first to the Jew! (Romans 2: 9-10)

Woe to each of us if we live this life of double-standards. I pray that I can first see the beam in my own eye, before ever even attempting to point out another’s failure. (Matthew 7:3-5) While we are called to judge our fellow believers, will we do it by God’s standards? God has granted me so much grace…so much mercy. I must extend it to others and in the process we all can encourage one another to aim for God’s standards for each of us…holiness. Beauty for ashes…strength for fear…love and encouragement rather than hatred and condemnation: How different would our relationships be within our families, neighborhoods, and work places?

He’s returning soon…what will Jesus find us doing in relation to others?