ABOUT THIS EPISODE
October 2, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 7:1-12
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 3:1-29
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
We're nearing the end of a week in which we’ve been reading God’s Word and seeing the virtue of humility. Today, God’s Word examines judgment and humility.
Judgment and humility seem totally different. Our world doesn’t like “judgment.” One of the worst things you can be is judgmental. For proclaiming God’s truth, some will label you as hateful, unloving, or un-Christian. Even someone who knows nothing about God’s Word or God may still quote part of Matthew 7:1 as they say, “Don’t judge!”
Don’t miss how they’re willing to judge you and God’s Word. It’s hard when celebrities you admire, or people you love, speak against God’s Word, and everyone agrees with them. Yet we need to ask, “Is that what God’s Word really says?” It matters more for us to know the Scriptures and its power.
Judgment isn’t the issue. It’s prideful judgment that makes you feel like you are perfect, while your brother is the only one with a problem. Do you judge by the Law with no chance or opportunity for forgiveness? If so, then you’re guilty by the same standard. Yet, what Christian would do that? Humbly, you know you’re also a sinner, and the Law leads you to pass judgment on your sin according to God’s Word, repent of it, and believe in the Gospel.
Turns out, the pride of the world wants to get rid of judgment completely because it doesn’t want to repent, but sin is condemned. Christians know God forbids changing His Word. Humbly, you submit yourself to God’s Word, which means you’ll judge a sin a sin and call for others to repent and find forgiveness in nobody else but Jesus. After all, that’s the measure you want for yourself, and you definitely want that for your neighbor as well. It’s humble for you to search the Scriptures and understand how God has made the World, submit yourself to His judgments, and repeat those judgments to the world. Yes, you’ll be judgmental, but only so far as you’re judging things rightly, according to God’s Word. Rather than pridefully ignoring God’s world as non-Christians try to tell you how to properly be Christian, true humility is content with the judgments of God’s Word. Humility is grateful for the Gospel, which has the final word for God’s people.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“The Law is good; but since the fall Its holiness condemns us all; It dooms us for our sin to die And has no pow’r to justify. To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, And humbly worship at His throne Saved by His grace through faith alone.” (LSB 579:6-7)
Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA.
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