Matthew 7:1

2 . Supreme reverence for our heavenly Father as judge.

In that kingdom which we are thus invited to seek first (Matthew 6:32) and enter, (Matthew 7:13,) we must never sit as judge, knowing that all our decisions will be rejudged, (Matthew 7:1-6.)

(1.) Usurp not God’s place as Judges , vv1-6.

1. Judge not This command not to judge does not forbid us to estimate the characters of others, in order to regulate our own conduct. We are required so to estimate in Matthew 7:6; Matthew 7:16, and a rule how to estimate is given. To judge is to estimate a man with a temper or in a mode in which we should think it unjust to be estimated ourselves. It is by this test that our Lord declares that all our estimates of others will be judged. We must make, then, precisely the application of the Golden Rule to the act and temper of our estimating the character of others. That ye be not judged That is, by God, not by others. If God judge us for judging, we shall be condemned, as the next clause shows.