Right Judgement (John 7:24)

 


Wednesday, July 23, 2025


Psalms 54; 55:1-12

2 Samuel 5:6-25

John 7:14-31


Right Judgement (John 7:24)


[Jesus said] “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.”


“Do what I say, not what I do” is a phrase certain to get groans and giggles in equal measure. We all know people who are like that, with results from the tragic to the farcical. Our Lord stands up in the assembly and says “do what I say, because of what I do”, and we turn to take notice, because no-one is like that.


Sometimes we might like to ask other people to look at what we do, and not what we say. Speaking clearly and accurately can often be difficult, while just getting on with things is a more honest way of communicating.


Other times we might plead for people to think about what we say in spite of what we do; for we all have memories that make us wince.


Reflecting on this effect in ourselves can be helpful for how we relate to other people. We all know people who have a clear mind and a pure heart, but find it difficult to speak well. And we all know people who know exactly the right things to say, but are struggling to run their own lives.


St John, both here in Jesus’ words, and later in his letters, speaks about judgement. Not the type of judgement that only God has, the judgement over life and death. But rather the judgement that leads to confidence in our conclusions, that we can use to then move on with our day.


Judge ourselves with right judgement: we commune in our heart with God. So take the opportunity to judge with right judgement, the judgement that leads to God’s peace. And judge one another with right judgement: we cannot see into the hearts of anyone else, and so judge with right judgement, in a way that lead’s to God’s peace.


What judgements might you have to make today? How can you judge with right judgement, in a way that honours your discipleship as a child of God?


God of right judgement, who knows all things, and yet still died for our salvation: give us honesty in ourselves, and grace towards others, that we may judge with right judgement, and be messengers of your gospel of peace.

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