The Same Judgment

Verse of the day: Judges 9:52-53, So Abimelech came as far as the tower and fought against it; and he drew near the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 But a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.

There is a principle that we see in these verses that some would call “irony”. Although Abimelech calls upon his armorbearer in verse 54 to kill him, so that his death comes from a man and not a woman, the Scriptures record his death as coming from the hands of a woman in 2 Samuel 11:21. However, that is not the irony of this situation. Verse 5 of this chapter tells us this about how Abimelech killed his seventy brothers, “Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.” By one stone he killed seventy, and by one stone he met his own death. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Before I go any further, I always feel the need to explain that this does not mean that we can sin without accountability! This is not what Jesus was saying. Nonetheless, we must be careful that when we approach a sinning brother or sister in Christ, we do it with both humility and love, for the purpose of restoring them. It may even mean a little tough love, but even tough love can be done in love. Here is what I mean. Galatians 6:1-3 clearly tells us, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” In my early years of Christianity, when I was easily influence by what I thought were more mature Christians, I followed their pattern of dealing with people who sinned. What I found was that their approach to dealing with people who stumbled was mean-spirited and did not do anything to encourage restoration. On the contrary, it was very judgmental and their wrath (allegedly toward sin) was nothing more than proud rants that made them feel better about their own shortcomings as Christians. Just like Abimelech suffered the same judgment he dished out against his brothers, I too, received the same lack of grace I once showed a few people when I harshly rebuked them for the sins they had committed. Little did I know that I would find myself walking on the same path of sin later in my life. The Word of God is clear that we need to examine ourselves, and approach with humility, acknowledging that we are no better and could find ourselves in the same position, or even worse. James 1:20 clearly states, “For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” The Lord is not blind to our attitudes towards others or our deeds towards others. The very things we do to others can very easily come back to visit us. The best rule of thumb to follow is the command Jesus gave in Luke 6:31, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” In saying this, He also said this in verse 37, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Before we open our mouths to deal with someone else, and before we choose a course of action in dealing with others, we need to stop and consider our own imperfections, and then approach with humility and a heart of restoration. Should that person refuse to turn from their ways, God has given a remedy in 1 Corinthians 5 that can be applied, with love, kindness, and a desire to do what is best for our brother/sister in Christ, and God’s glory.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).