Jesus’ teachings on judgment provide both a warning and a guide. He spoke clearly about the final judgment, where people will be separated based on how they treated others—especially the most vulnerable. In Matthew 25, He reveals that acts of compassion and service are not just good deeds but reflections of our relationship with Him. Jesus calls us to live with purpose, caring for others as if we were serving Christ Himself. This challenges us to view everyday actions through the lens of eternal impact.
At the same time, Jesus warned against harsh or hypocritical judgment of others. In passages like Matthew 7 and John 8, He emphasized self-examination, humility, and mercy. While Jesus didn’t reject accountability, He taught that correction should always come from a place of love and gentleness, especially within the church. His balance of truth and grace shows us how to judge rightly—by lifting others up, not tearing them down.
Keep reading to explore how Jesus’ wisdom on judgment can shape your relationships, decisions, and spiritual growth in everyday life.
Understanding what Jesus said about judgment is crucial for anyone seeking to live a life aligned with His teachings. Jesus spoke extensively about judgment, both the final judgment at the end of times and the way we should approach judging others in our daily lives. Let’s dive into His teachings to gain a clearer understanding.
The Final Judgment
Jesus’ Description of the Final Judgment
One of the most detailed descriptions of the final judgment comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:31-46. Here, He paints a vivid picture of the Son of Man coming in His glory, accompanied by all the angels, to sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He’ll separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’” (Matthew 25:34-36, NIV).
The Criteria for Judgment
In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that our actions towards others are a significant factor in judgment. The sheep, representing the righteous, are those who showed compassion and kindness to others. Conversely, the goats, representing the unrighteous, are those who failed to do so.
Jesus continues, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me’” (Matthew 25:41-43, NIV).
This passage emphasizes that our treatment of others reflects our relationship with Jesus. By serving others, we serve Him.
Judging Others
Jesus’ Command on Judging Others
Jesus also gave clear instructions on how we should approach judging others. In Matthew 7:1-2, He said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (NIV).
The Danger of Hypocrisy
He warned against hypocrisy in judgment. In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus asks, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there’s a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you’ll see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (NIV).
Here, Jesus isn’t saying we should never help others improve or correct their mistakes. Instead, He’s stressing the importance of self-reflection and humility. We must address our faults before pointing out others’.
The Principle of Mercy
In John 8:1-11, we find the story of the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees brought her to Jesus, hoping to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him. They reminded Him that the Law of Moses commanded such a woman be stoned. Jesus responded, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7, NIV).
One by one, her accusers left, and Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:10-11, NIV).
Jesus demonstrated profound mercy here. He didn’t condone her sin but offered her forgiveness and a chance to change.
Accountability and Correction
Judging Within the Church
While Jesus taught against hypocritical judgment, He did endorse accountability within the church. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus laid out a process for addressing sin among believers: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you’ve won them over. But if they won’t listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (NIV).
This process underscores the importance of community and accountability. It’s about restoration, not punishment. The goal is to help the individual return to the right path.
Love and Humility in Correction
Paul, echoing Jesus’ teachings, advised the Galatians, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1, NIV). This emphasizes the need for gentleness and self-awareness when correcting others.
Conclusion
Jesus’ teachings about judgment are multifaceted. He spoke of the final judgment, where our actions towards others will be weighed. He warned against hypocritical judgment and stressed the need for self-reflection and humility. He showed mercy and emphasized accountability within the community of believers.
In your daily life, remember Jesus’ words: Be compassionate, avoid hypocrisy, and offer correction with love and humility. By following His teachings, you’ll not only live a life pleasing to God but also reflect His love and grace to those around you.
FAQs about Jesus’ Teachings on Judgement
1. What did Jesus say about the final judgment?
Jesus described the final judgment in Matthew 25:31-46, where He said the Son of Man will separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The righteous, symbolized by the sheep, will inherit the kingdom prepared for them, while the unrighteous, represented by the goats, will face eternal punishment.
2. How does Jesus’ teaching on the final judgment impact our daily lives?
Jesus’ teaching emphasizes the importance of our actions towards others. Acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others are crucial, as they reflect our relationship with Him. By serving others, we serve Jesus.
3. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”?
In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus warned against hypocritical and harsh judgment. He taught that the standard we use to judge others will be the standard used to judge us. This encourages self-reflection and humility in our interactions with others.
4. Why did Jesus warn against hypocrisy in judgment?
Jesus highlighted the danger of hypocrisy in Matthew 7:3-5. He used the analogy of a person with a plank in their eye trying to remove a speck from another’s eye. This teaches us to address our own faults before pointing out others’ mistakes, promoting humility and self-awareness.
5. How did Jesus demonstrate mercy in the story of the woman caught in adultery?
In John 8:1-11, Jesus showed mercy to a woman caught in adultery by challenging her accusers, saying, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” He did not condemn her but instead encouraged her to leave her life of sin, illustrating the balance of mercy and a call to repentance.
6. What is the process for addressing sin within the church according to Jesus?
In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlined a process for addressing sin among believers. It involves privately pointing out the fault, involving one or two others if the person doesn’t listen, and eventually bringing the matter before the church if they still refuse to listen. The aim is restoration, not punishment.
7. How should correction be approached within the Christian community?
Paul advised in Galatians 6:1 that correction should be done gently and with self-awareness. This approach ensures that the goal is to restore the individual while guarding against falling into temptation ourselves.
8. Why is it important to avoid hypocritical judgment?
Avoiding hypocritical judgment is crucial because it fosters humility and encourages self-reflection. When we focus on correcting our own faults first, we’re better equipped to help others in a compassionate and understanding manner, as Jesus taught.
9. What are the key takeaways from Jesus’ teachings on judgment?
Key takeaways include the importance of compassion, the dangers of hypocrisy, and the need for self-reflection. Jesus also emphasized mercy, accountability within the church, and correcting others with love and humility.
10. How can I apply Jesus’ teachings on judgment in my life?
You can apply Jesus’ teachings by treating others with kindness and compassion, avoiding hypocritical judgment, addressing your own faults before pointing out others’, and offering correction with love and humility. Reflecting Jesus’ love and grace in your daily interactions will help you live a life pleasing to God.
