This statement is not some haphazard theory, but it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution— “with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the shortcomings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26 ).

Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge.”

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” ( Matthew 7:1 ). He went on to say, in effect, “If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others”? We have judged others as sinners— if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ.

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Journal Entry for Today-JDV

June 22, 2010

I have heard two sermons and have had one or or two devotionals rise up to greet me on the subject of forgiveness and grace. On Sunday the pastor delivered a sermon on forgiveness and grace and how we receive what we give, and how hard it is to live life forgiving others.. On the way home from Los Angeles, driving and listening to a sermon on the radio I heard a similar message. And then this morning, Oswald Chambers reminds me of the lesson of forgiveness and the law of reciprocity. One lesson, Hmmmm. Two? Ok perhaps I need tuning up a bit. But three or four lessons on this topic in the last few days? Hmmmm. Ok God here I am open and receptive.

And God says…”This is a lesson you should review regularly. It is not enough that you help people and reach out for and to many that need help. It is not enough that you pray for others and hold your enemies up for blessings. The very best you can do for others will not ever be enough. And you will never develop your own spirit of love and grace and forgiveness for others. It is not possible. Your natural state will be to want things to be fair, and to strike out when someone hurts you or curses you or someone you love. Your natural state will be to protect yourself, and to criticize those that are not like you and yours, and to be defensive when someone else criticizes you or your beliefs and values.

You will and can however, allow me to live through you and let my grace and love pour out on others through you. You can be connected to me so that your natural state does not respond as it is “supposed” to respond. You can stay open to me, and allow My forgiveness, grace and peace to flow through you. You can be connected to Me, and let Me connect with others. You can do all things through Christ Jesus.