Tuesday in the Sixth Week of Ordinary Time

Luke 6:37-40

Luke Fills in Some of the Sermon

Today we are reminded again why there are four gospels.  Along the way, you have noticed that I put the parallel passages in each gospel at the top of the page.  This is so you may read each gospel to get the complete picture.  In this case, however, Luke adds some material that Matthew omits.

We covered yesterday, “Judge not.”  Luke adds, “Condemn not.”  I think this further illustrates what I said about judging yesterday.  Jesus is not saying that we cannot make sound judgments, exercise discernment, lovingly correct a brother or sister in Christ, or even tell someone that we believe what the Bible says when it addresses a particular sin.  This must be done.  But what we must not do is judge in such a way as to condemn someone else.  It is God who will make those kinds of judgments, and we gladly leave that to Him.  Furthermore, we are called to forgive – another reason why we must never judge harshly.  For all we know, this person may repent of their sin and turn to Christ.  What they need from us is to speak the truth in love in hopes that they will repent (Ephesians 4:15).  But we live in a time in which people will call you “hateful” no matter how hard you try to convey that truth lovingly.  They do this because they feel condemned already as God has created them in His image; in other words, their guilty conscience gives them away (Romans 2:12-16).

Luke then expresses the truth of God’s economics: those who give, receive.  What they receive in return is even described in “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, … put into your lap.”  I’ve heard preachers do terrible things with verses like these, as if to say that if you give $50, you may expect $100 in return.  This is not why we give.  God’s return to you will be His care, His provision, His blessing.  More money? Maybe, but don’t count on it.  People who think like this, who refuse to forgive, who condemn others without examining their own lives, who give in order to receive something in return, are like blind people leading the blind: both fall into a pit.  The best we can hope for is to become like our Master by imitating his behavior, and we shall always be a far cry from that.

I did not comment on the following verse from yesterday because I ran out of space: “Do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”  Yep, Jesus said that.  Be discerning about whom you talk to about the Lord.  Some simply do not want to hear it, and you will only make matters worse by arguing.  Be still and let the Lord take care of it.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist