03/14/2023
One of the most misunderstood verses of the Bible is “Do not judge.” This teaching is found in scripture in -Matthew 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.- This scripture has been misused, taken out of context and twisted into a command to never disapprove or correct the actions of another. First and foremost, Christ does not say "never judge," He warns that there is a consequence to judgment. Second, this statement is immediately followed by instructions from Christ on the proper way to use judgment -Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.-Third, Jesus' other teachings explicitly indicate that right judgment is necessary while hypocritical judgment is wrong.-John 7:24 Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”- So Jesus is telling us to judge rightly. How can it be that Jesus would tell us in one verse to not judge but then tell us to judge in another? And what about all the other places in scripture that tell us to judge? In the church we are to judge sin and help each other follow Christ more closely. -1 Peter 4:17-19 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.- Look how the Apostle Paul tells us to judge what is immoral. -1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the evil person from among yourselves.- Paul says those outside the church are guilty of all sin and God will judge them but we are to point out sin within the church and put it out. How can we do that if we are always accepting sin in the life of those who say they are brothers and sisters? We try to misuse one statement in scripture to ignore the rest of God’s Holy Word. If we are going to say we take the whole Bible and believe it then we need to learn to handle it correctly. God is love and there is always forgiveness for sin. We as His church are to rescue those drowning in sin not condemn. That is what Matthew 7:1 and verses following are telling us. Don’t condemn or judge someone to hell but point out sin and tell them that Jesus will not leave them in their sin. We don’t condemn them but God hates sin and has already condemned sin to the cross. Now Jesus seeks and saves that which is lost. But if we accept sin in the lives of others, and tell them it’s ok for them to stay as they are, their sin will take them to hell. In love for them, Christ, and His Word tell them sin will take them to hell but Jesus will take them out of sin. Love them enough to not want to see them live a lie.
