“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
Jesus just finished teaching about judgement of others. He explained that we cannot judge, because we are sinful too. Our sins may be different sins, but sins never the less. Many have interpreted this passage in Matthew 7:1-11 to imply that we should not share what God has to say from the Bible so that we don’t appear judgmental. Unfortunately, that’s an incorrect interpretation of this passage. We have no right to judge someone in our own authority. Jesus made that clear. He also made clear that we are to spread the gospel to everyone locally, regionally, nationally and globally (Acts 1:8). This confirms that we should preach and teach the Holy Bible in its entirety to share God’s thoughts, ideas, and yes, judgements. We are to share God’s word so that he can judge His people. We don’t judge, God judges.
Then Jesus provides one of the greatest pieces of wisdom in the Bible in Matthew 7:12, Christians worldwide have come to know this as the “Golden Rule.” We paraphrase it as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This profoundly important rule, law, commandment is the cornerstone of the Great Law in Mathew 22:36-40.
In the King James Version, it’s rendered.
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
We are not to judge in accordance with our own righteousness, but we are to share God’s laws and judgements. Sharing the will and precepts of God with others is not judgmental, but kind, generous, and lifesaving. Those that would disobey God’s Word are “heaping burning coals” on themselves. So, in love, we should share scripture with them and everyone, because we are all sinners. We may not transgress overtly, but still transgress in our minds. According to scripture even thinking about sinning is a sin. Matthew 5:27-28 says, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” This is an example of one law, but (considering the nature of God) can be extrapolated out to include all of God’s commandments.
I provided all this to say, love each other and don’t be judgmental, because we are all sinners. Love each other enough to share God’s Word with everyone that will listen, even if it hurts their feelings. Sometimes the truth hurts. Remember, you are not hurting their feelings, God is, and he’s hurting their feelings out of love, mercy and grace. He wants everyone to know the joy of Christian righteousness and sanctification, a relationship with God, and eventually, a home in Heaven. Praise His Holy Name. Read your Bible and share God’s wisdom with others.