p. 187 | JUDGE NOT by J. M. Hopkins

The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 11, 1879

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 24

“JUDGE NOT.”

By J. M. Hopkins

“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude 9.

There is brought to view in this text a thought which should be a controlling one in the life of every Seventh-day Adventist. We believe that this movement is in direct fulfillment of an important Bible prophecy. We believe that God has committed to our trust the most solemn message that the world has ever heard (Rev. 14:9, 10, 11),—the last message of warning, of mercy. This message embraces the fundamental principles of righteousness, and the great work of redemption through Jesus Christ. Rev. 14:12. How vastly important it is, then, that we, as lightbearers, should walk in the light we bear. These great truths put into practice by their advocates will do much more toward bringing others to God than merely advocating them could do. The world calls—and justly too—for practical holiness. “Give us examples of holiness. Theory is good, but practice is better.”

But in order to properly bring out the subject mentioned in the text, let us notice, briefly, two characters mentioned, and the standing of each respectively; viz., “Michael the archangel” and the “devil.” That “Michael the archangel” is Jesus Christ, is fully proved by comparing Dan. 12:1; Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4:16; and John 5:26-29.

That the subject pending may have due force, let us notice the points of contrast between these two great characters, using Scripture declarations only, respecting each.

JESUS CHRIST.	THE DEVIL.
“The beginning of the creation of God.” Rev. 3:14.	“A murderer from the beginning.” John 8:44.
“All things were created by him, and for him.” Col. 1:14-17; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:1, 2.	“Abode not in the truth.”—Id.
The Son of God. Matt. 3:17.	“No truth in him.”—Id.
“The faithful and true Witness.” Rev. 3:14.	“A liar.”—Id.
“The Prince of the kings of this earth.” Rev. 1:5.	“The father of lies.”—Id.
“Christ, the Son of the Blessed.” Mark 14:61, 62.	A deceiver. Rev. 12:9.
“The Word.” John 1:1, compared with verse 14.	“The dragon, that old serpent.” Rev. 20:2. Overcome by “Michael and his angels,” and driven from Heaven, he “was cast out into the earth.” Rev. 12:7-9.
“The Lord our righteousness.” Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30.	Doomed to final destruction in “the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:10.
“The resurrection and the life.” John 11:25.
“The way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6.
The Lifegiver. Col. 3:4.

Thus they appear before us in the light of revelation,—one the embodiment of holiness; the other, a masterpiece of iniquity. Now let us have the application, and a thought which we consider worthy of prayerful attention. If Jesus Christ, occupying so exalted a position, equal with God the Father (Phil. 2:6), “durst not bring against him [the devil, the murderer, the deceiver] a railing accusation, but [in humility and gentleness referring it to the Father] said, The Lord rebuke thee,” how can we, poor, blind, erring mortals, speak or even entertain a thought, passing sentence upon a fellow-creature, who may be better than ourselves. “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34), that we should be exalted, or assume the ability to judge; “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23.

PRACTICAL LESSON.—CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE.

“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6.

Words of Jesus: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:1-5.

The language used by the Saviour in setting forth this important subject conveys to our mind the enormity of the sin of assuming to judge one another. He speaks of the fault of the person being judged as a “mote,” while that of the one assuming to judge he calls a “beam.” A mote is “a small particle; anything proverbially small; a spot.”—Webster. From the signification of the term “beam,” as given by Mr. Webster, we understand it to mean something of importance, or of considerable magnitude. And thus Jesus points out our readiness to notice and condemn in others that which (though it be evil) is of insignificance in comparison with the sin of our own heart. And then, as if to add, if possible, to his argument—to show up the case as it is,—he styles the would-be judge a “hypocrite.” No practice of the Jews called forth stronger terms of denunciation from the Saviour than did that of pretending to be what they were not. (See Matt. 23.) And in the scripture quoted above he urges upon us the importance of removing the evils from our own life, of clearing our own moral vision, that we may be prepared to aid one another.

Precepts of Paul: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom. 2:1-5.

In this scripture the apostle very forcibly sets forth the error of speaking against, or condemning, one another; and teaches that in proportion as we do this, we are ourselves subject to the condemnation of God. Then until we have been “tempted in all points” in which the human family is subject to temptation, as was Jesus, and until we, like him, are “without sin,” let us, like him, “bring no railing accusation.” It is not man’s prerogative to raise his voice in railing. Circumstances in life are so varied, that in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred we cannot understand the condition of another in all the bearings in which it may influence him. None but the eye of the Allwise, Omnipresent, can see the multiplicity of causes which lead to as many results.

My brother’s mental, moral, and physical standing is not, and cannot, in this mortal state, be just like mine. And as each trait of character pertaining to a man has an influence upon all other traits of his character, so we, having different organizations, are not actuated alike, do not think alike, and consequently do not act alike in the minutiae of life. I may not be able to measure my brother’s strength, he may not be able to realize my weakness. He may be living near to God, basking in the light of heavenly truth, his soul often watered with showers of divine grace; while temptations to which he may not have been subject have come upon me, and led me away from God, making me lukewarm in his service, and thus an easy prey to the wiles of the devil. Then would it become my brother to speak lightly of me? No; but “let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. . . . Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. . . . Recompense to no man evil for evil. . . . If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19.

These words of Inspiration are precious, and they admonish us that we, like Jesus, should not return evil for evil, railing for railing, to those whom the devil may send against us. God will hold us responsible for the blessed light he is giving us. And if, when the great day of his wrath is upon us, our lives shall have been given to the service of Satan, ours will be a greater condemnation than if we had not had the light.

God can speak better than we can; so let us notice the example of Christ, who “suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Pet. 2:21, 22, 23. As a people we must expect rebuke, must expect to be spoken lightly of, must expect that our “names will be cast out as evil.” The message God has given us is unpopular; it excites the dragon’s ire, and he will stir up the world against us. (Rev. 12:17.) But let us remember that we, without God, are erring, and ever look for strength to “Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Heb. 12:3. Let us look to Him who said: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” who also said: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matt. 5:44, 11.

During the mock trial of Jesus, when he was falsely accused by his enemies, no angry word was spoken by him. And when nailed to the cross, suffering the terrible agonies of death, mocked and insulted by the infuriated mob, he prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34.

The spirit of meekness and humility which Jesus possessed was what enabled the early Christians to endure; and it was what prompted the apostle to say, “Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat.” 1 Cor. 4:12, 13. And all along through the “Dark Ages,” the history of the church is a history of rebuke, of suffering, and of revilings, the endurance of which calls forth the praise of men and angels. And shall not we, now the conflict is so nearly done, exercise the same spirit?

Christian, will it not rejoice your heart to see that companion or friend happy throughout eternity? Will it not rejoice you to see your loved ones receiving a crown of life from the hand of the blessed Redeemer, and to hear notes of everlasting praise swell from the golden harp touched by those fingers that may have ministered to your earthly wants? Will you not rejoice to see them partake of the delicious fruit of the “tree of life”? Nay, more: Will you not rejoice to see him (though now your enemy) for whom Jesus shed his precious blood, stand with the redeemed upon “Mount Zion,” and hear him “sing the new song”? Then,—

“Speak gently to the erring one, And never once forget, That though he is an erring one, He is thy brother yet.”

And look to Jesus; let his life, Thy perfect pattern prove; Speak, act, with all as though your heart Were filled with heavenly love. J. M. HOPKINS.