Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "judge". We'll be looking at Matthew 7:1-2:

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. KJV

This is the Greek word "krino". Strong's Concordance says: to decide, to try, to condemn, to punish. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to separate, put asunder, to pronounce an opinion, to pronounce judgement, to subject to censure. We are told here NOT to do this. This same Greek word is translated "condemn" in John 3:17:

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. KJV

I especially like this one from the Amplified Bible:

17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP

Just as Jesus was not sent to condemn us, He has not sent us to condemn others. I know of some Christians who seem to have made it their life's work to find out and condemn sin in other believers. The only thing we are told to do if we see a fellow believer sin is found Galatians 6:1:

6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. KJV

I know that you don't have a problem with this, but I believe that you will have an opportunity to minister to others who do!  Here is a new song from Hillsong Worship called "Open Heaven/River Wild:

                     
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!