57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
This is a very poignant question Jesus poses to us today. Have you ever noticed that just because we choose not to think or dwell on something it does not make that something go away? We have a tendency to flippantly go through this life not dwelling on issues that are of eternal significance. We are always going to face that tomorrow yet somehow we never get around to it. The tomorrow just never seems to come. Pretty soon we wake up and we are 55 repeating the same thought processes and actions as we had at 20. This is not God’s plan. He is all about growing us up, conforming us to the image of Jesus. God is into changing us. It would be wise for us to get with His program and quit “kicking against the goads”! We are told in Romans by Paul:
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
God wants to take us from point A to point Z; from natural man to our eternal glorified state and the vehicle He chooses for this process is change – one change at a time. He is never content with our status quo and neither should we be. Our prayer should mimic that of King David’s when he pleas:
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 (NIV)
David petitioned God to renew his heart’s attitude. He was looking for an inward change that would manifest itself in outward actions. We need this also. We often go about this backwards, trying to change our actions prior to changing our hearts – this will never work. It may for a season, but without a heart change we will most certainly fall back into the same old patterns. God brings about change from the inside out. And Jesus asks of us:
57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
The word translated “judge” is from the Greek word “Krino” meaning: “to discriminate between good and evil, select, choose out the good. To judge, form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case. To discern, form a mental judgment or opinion; to properly determine.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids
The word translated “right” in our verse for today is the Greek word “Dikaios” meaning: “Just, righteous and upright. Being “Dikaios” in the New Testament are those who have conditioned their lives by the standard which is not theirs, but God’s. They are the people related to God, and who, as a result of this relationship, walk with God.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids
Paul tells us in Romans:
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
And again in Romans 3:
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, Romans 3:22 (NIV)
“God is offering a righteous standing before Him to all sinful people on the basis of faith in Christ alone. Since all are “under sin” (3:9), salvation is available “to all” on an equal basis.” Bible Knowledge Commentary
And how does this appear in the life? Again Paul tells is in Ephesians:
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:22-24 (NIV)
This is not done through the flesh but through the power of the Spirit who indwells every true believer in Christ. A quote by Robert J. Morgan seals this point. Writing on Romans chapter eight he states:
“The Spirit reproduces the righteous; life of the Lord Jesus Christ within us (Romans 8:1-10), guarantees our hope and future bodily resurrection (Romans 8:11), leads us all our days from now till then (Romans 8:14), assures our hearts of our eternal salvation (Romans 8:1-17), and sustains us during difficult times (Romans 8:18-25).”
We are to cooperate with the Spirit within us and as Paul states:
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:1-2 (NIV)