“The measure you use”

Read Luke 6:37-38

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This is a further application of the practical love which Jesus has been speaking about (6:27-36). Towards our neighbours – and also our enemies – there is a shared principle of discipleship which applies alike both in regard to being judgemental and to being generous: “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (38; Mt.7:1-2).

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Turning a blind eye to injustice is clearly not what Jesus intends when he says, “Do not judge” (37). But in our everyday dealings with people, if we are unkindly critical and condemnatory then we are likely to find people responding to us in the same way. The converse is also true – if we are open-hearted and generous with our forgiveness and our giving, we can expect the same measure to be used in return (37-38).

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This principle also has a wider relevance, because judging others invites the judgement of God on ourselves, whereas a gracious and forgiving spirit shows that we have been forgiven (Mt.6:12,14-15; Eph.4:32; Jas.2:13). A condemning attitude harms primarily ourselves whilst generosity enriches our own lives too. The measure we use for others will inevitably shape our own capacity, either limiting or enlarging it.