Judge not, that ye be not judged, Matthew 7:1.

Let's take notice how the words of our text, "Judge not, that ye be not judged," fits chronologically in the Sermon on the Mount. First, MAT 5:20-48 deals with the second table of the law, i.e., it deals with our attitude toward our neighbour.

Secondly, MAT 6:1 begins with the first table of the law, i.e., our attitude toward God in the performance of the second table of the law. "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also," 1JO 4:20-21.

Then MAT 6:19-34 teaches a wholehearted service unto God which is, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," MAT 6:33.

All of our acts of love to our fellow man under the second table of the law are in subjection to the first table of the law with a right attitude toward God. We do these acts of love to our neighbour as under the kingdom of God; we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Serving the Lord according to the first and second table of the law becomes our first priority; then all these other things will be added to us.

Now notice in MAT 7:1-12 how Jesus is teaching a right attitude under the law of love! This portion of Scripture deals with the second table of the law in subjection to the first table of the law which He so clearly set forth in MAT 5 and 6. Now He is teaching us that we must have our eye on the first table of the law as the basis for serving God under the second table of the law.

This right attitude which Jesus is teaching is based upon self- knowledge which He concluded with, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets," MAT 7:12. This is the first and second table of the law and all of the law and gospel hang upon it. Love to God under the first table of the law is inseparably connected to loving our neighbour as ourselves in the second table of the law.

What does all this really mean as we enter into judgment of the actions of our brother? We are to place ourselves in our brother's position. If we have self-knowledge and if we understand the fountain of corruption in our own heart, the only way we can judge our fellow man's actions is with mercy. If we want mercy God says, "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment," JAM 2:13.