3. What warning did Jesus give to those who criticise and judge others? Matthew 7:2.
NOTE: ‘May God pity those who are watching, as did the Pharisees, to find something to condemn in their brethren, and who pride themselves on their wonderfully acute discernment. That which they call discernment is cold, satanic criticism, acuteness in suspecting and charging souls with evil intent who are less guilty than themselves. They are, like the enemy of God, accusers of the brethren. These souls, whatever their position or experience, need to humble themselves before God. How can they pray, “Forgive me as I forgive others”? “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” “He shall have judgement without mercy, that hath showed no mercy.” God grants no pardon to him whose penitence produces no humility, and whose faith does not work by love to purify the soul. We need to study the example of Him who was meek and lowly, who, when He was reviled, reviled not again. A vindictive spirit will not be indulged by a true Christian.’ The Home Missionary, February 1, 1892.
4. How did Jesus show that this same principle is true in a positive sense? Luke 6:38.
NOTE: ‘The golden rule teaches, by implication, the same truth which is taught elsewhere in the Sermon on the Mount, that “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” That which we do to others, whether it be good or evil, will surely react upon ourselves, in blessing or in cursing. Whatever we give, we shall receive again. The earthly blessings which we impart to others may be, and often are, repaid in kind. What we give does, in time of need, often come back to us in fourfold measure in the coin of the realm. But, besides this, all gifts are repaid, even in this life, in the fuller inflowing of His love, which is the sum of all heaven’s glory and its treasure. And evil imparted also returns again. Everyone who has been free to condemn or discourage, will in his own experience be brought over the ground where he has caused others to pass; he will feel what they have suffered because of his want of sympathy and tenderness.’ Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, page 136.
‘Let the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. He is the author of your faith, and He will be the finisher if you will be partakers of His self-sacrifice. ... The character of the Christian is to be a reproduction of the character of Christ. The same love, the same grace, the same unselfish benevolence, seen in His life, is to characterise the lives of His followers.’ Review & Herald, April 18, 1912.