The significance of Jesus’ statement, “I judge no man,” hit me square-on recently.
He did render judgments at times against his fellowman. He told the Pharisees they were hypocrites. He instructed sinners to quit sinning.
His statement, “I judge no man,” does not make sense when considered literally, for it makes him sound like a hypocrite too. But it does make sense from a spiritually scientific point of view.
I interpret it to mean, “I judge no man as being material.”
Jesus could see the spiritual perfect child of God where everyone else saw a mortal sinner or a physical body.
In my study, I reworded his statement, “I judge no man,” to include, “I do not see God’s child as a mortal with material distinctions. Man is neither short nor tall, fat nor skinny, black nor white, brown nor tan, rich nor poor, privileged or not privileged, gay or not-gay, republican or democrat, upper class or lower class, or defined by any other label mortal mind would paste over God’s spiritual creation.
Man is wholly spiritual. He is not in or of matter—ever. He cannot be found in matter nor seen in a physical form. His identity is wholly spiritual, reflecting the qualities of Love and Life in all their eternal and heavenly splendor and glory. This individuality is real and tangible to spiritual sense, but non-existent to physical sense.
Try this: Cease judging your fellowman from a material point of view. It doesn’t matter what clothes they wear, whether their hair is askew, whether they smile at you, or live up to your personal expectations. Drop all temptation to size them up materially, and behold what God created in His or Her image. What do you see?
Wonderful!
I had to smile when I read this paragraph of yours, Evan: In my study, I reworded his statement, “I judge no man,” to include, “I do not see God’s child as a mortal with material distinctions. Man is neither short nor tall, fat nor skinny, black nor white, brown nor tan, rich nor poor, privileged or not privileged, gay or not-gay, republican or democrat, upper class or lower class, or defined by any other label mortal mind would paste over God’s spiritual creation.”
Why? Because I noticed in the July Journal that two writers made a reference to someone being “tall” — as if that were a distinguishing and desirable physical feature that somehow made the person more important than if they were “average” or “short.”
Indeed, as you indicate, Jesus wouldn’t have judged someone favorably or unfavorably by their height — and neither should we. (For confirmation, See Mary Baker Eddy’s Miscellaneous Writings, 308:32.)
P.S. A person who is not “gay” is usually called “straight” :-))))
I think, also that in the arena of judgment comes the word comparison. The fact that we are all spiritual makes it meaningless to compare one spiritual idea to another.
I always add the rest of Jesus’ satement when I think of his words, “I judge no man” because he also says, “but if I judge, I judge righteous judgement.” This means, to me, just what Evan says, “I see the perfect man.” Then this makes whatever is not perfect stand out like neon, as not any part of that real, perfect man. So the sin gets judged and put aside, but the untouched perfection that God made is all the lasts.
Evan, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have just confirmed my prayer of man as such, and also gave me more to think about. Bless your wisdom and you’re superb understanding of C/S.
This means a lot to me. I have recently decided to give up assigning motive to people’s behavior. It is a tall order for me, as a psychology professor and author. Assigning motive is a form of judgment. She must have done thus and so because of thus and so and boy is she wrong, crazy, etc.
Not only can we never know another’s motives, but it is none of our business. It is not our experience.
To the first responder: I think the word non-gay is right because it could be a person considers themself lesbian, bisexual or transgender. It emcompasses a wider meaning.
To the last Anonymous from the first Anonymous: Good point! Thanks, I will remember that.
What a beautiful, spiritual right to be nonjudgmental. How much more we are ready, willing and able to love. Thanks for your loving thoughts. Sher