I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
The Measure of Grace
At first glance, it’s easy to misinterpret Matthew 7:1 as a pass to disregard accountability for sinful actions, a license to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. But when we take a closer look, Jesus' words in this parable aren't an endorsement of moral indifference.
The Greek word "κρίνετε" (krinete), translated as "judge," means “to form a condemning opinion about someone without knowledge.”
Jesus isn't advocating against fair and righteous judgment (John 7:24). We know this because, in this same chapter of Matthew 7, Jesus tells His followers to judge (Matthew 7:16).
So, are we to judge, or are we not to judge?
Jesus cautions against judging others unfairly, we should instead lean on the Holy Spirit to practice good judgment.
This verse isn't a call for us to abandon discernment, though; rather, it's an invitation to wield it with compassion and understanding. It should compel Christ’s followers, even today, to reflect on the measure we use:
Are we quick to condemn or eager to discern with grace? Are our judgments tempered with empathy?
Think for a moment: Where have you been quick to condemn others without full understanding or accurate knowledge? How can you lead with compassion instead of a judgmental attitude?
A Gift Worth Receiving
After Jesus healed a man who had been paralyzed for almost four decades, the religious Jews were angry with Him. This may seem strange, because healing is a good thing, but Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath—the day of rest. In the Old Testament, God gave believers a long list of rules to follow in order to stay right with Him, and these rules included honoring the Sabbath.
But in the New Testament, Jesus was sent to change our relationship with the Father. By sacrificing Himself on the cross, He gave us access to a relationship with God—so that long list of rules was no longer needed. Throughout Jesus' life, He shows people the nature of this new relationship. But because it didn’t line up with what the religious establishment believed, they were angry with Him.
In John 5, Jesus justifies these changes through revealing His true authority. By calling God His Father, He shared that He was equal to God. This angered the religious Jews, but it gives us a ...
