John 8:15-18 WEB
You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. [16] Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. [17] It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. [18] I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
I love to see Jesus generalize. In the above passage, he says, “I judge no one. [16] Even if I do judge…” He says he doesn’t judge unless he does. How great is it to see Jesus accomplish God’s will through normal human conversation? Unfortunately, this is the kind of verse some will hang doctrine on.
The word-for-word crowd could easily take this to mean we should judge no one. But the problem is we are told to execute righteous judgments in other verses (John 5:30, 7:24). So, if this verse is saying that you and I should not judge, ever, it is out of step with the rest of scripture.
Of course, this verse is not out of step with the rest of the Bible. It is a matter of reading to know Jesus versus reading to know the rules (Exo 20:18-19, John 17:3). However, in this verse we have Jesus making a generalization that he does not judge people as a matter of practice. Then, he goes on to say on the rare occasion he does judge another he is making righteous judgments. Jesus’ judgments were righteous because he remained in step with the Spirit (John 5:19-20).
Lord Jesus, please help me hear your small still voice. Light the path before me and help me walk in it. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Keys of Love 