At various points in His ministry, the Savior emphasized that we will receive that which we give. If we judge others, we will receive that self-same judgment in return. If we forgive others, we will receive the Lord’s forgiveness. If we treat others in a specific manner, thus shall we be treated. These principles are elaborated again during the Sermon on the Mount. Why would a merciful Lord exact such a just treatment? Wouldn’t it be more along the lines of grace to simply forgive us for our wicked and human thoughts and actions?
The Savior first tells us that we must forgive in order to be forgiven by Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:14-15). Although this is certainly fair, it doesn’t seem to be along the same order of mercy that forgiveness itself requires. Why, then, does the Lord require us to forgive?
When you refuse to forgive someone for an offense, real or imagined, you hold that anger inside. Perhaps it doesn’t reside in your heart always, but appears only in occasional flashes. Either way, anger and malice serve to drive away the Spirit of God. By refusing to forgive, you refuse to allow the Spirit full access to your heart. How, then, can your repentance be complete and total?
The Savior then tells us to refrain from judgment. The JST for Matthew 7:1 elaborates; we ought not judge unrighteously, but should “judge righteous judgment.” A wonderful talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks expands on the difference between righteous and unrighteous judgment. Elder Oaks explains that while we should refrain from making an eternal judgment, our moral agency obliges us to make ‘short term’ judgments. For instance, we must judge who our friends should be. We must make judgments to determine if someone is suitable to be our eternal companions. Of the various ways to be certain that our judgment is righteous, I think the most thought-provoking was the admonition to judge situations, not people. Thus, we can judge that a situation is bad without necessarily passing judgment on an individual. This is similar to “loving the sinner and hating the sin.”
Finally, we are instructed to treat others as we would be treated (Matthew 7:12). As we desire others to treat us with kindness, so ought we treat them. As we would hope for mercy, particularly when involved in a difficult situation, so ought we react. Sometimes, those we treat with kindness and love will respond with malice, as did those who persecuted the Savior. Yet still he responded with love and patience. How hard do you think it must be to suffer the physical agony of crucifixion when He had the power to call down angels and smite the soldiers and Pharisees who laughed and mocked His pain? Yet, as always, He prayed, “Father, thy will be done.” He viewed these people with the eternal perspective. He knew that their souls were of great value to His Father, that they, too, were children of God.
The Lord would have us treat others with kindness, gentleness, and charity. At some point, we will reap what we sow. If we treat others the way we would have the Lord treat us, we will certainly be glad of it throughout eternity.
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For the remainder of the week’s lessons, click on ‘Gospel Doctrine’ in the LDS Catagories box