Judging One Another

Difficult subject to share about but the church no matter the denomination is struggling with what is right and wrong so this is relevant and important even if you don’t agree. We often hear it said that we are not to judge anyone. And this scripture is always quoted:

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged

Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT)

I shared with you this week that we must be willing to show love to those who come to our churches and into our lives that do not know Jesus as their lord and savior; sharing with them that same grace and mercy that we have received. As we look at the passage from the Sermon on the Mount we are often quick to say that we should not judge each other because this is what Jesus taught. Yet in verse two you see the line, “that you will be treated as you treat others.” On the issue of judging it becomes a matter of the standards we will live by. In reality we as Christians cannot judge the world because the standard we hold to be true as Christians is absolutely different than what the world holds to be truth. So yes we should not judge those who are in the world because we have no common ground from which to do it. We see that Paul understood this as he wrote to the Corinthians:

9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT)

As Children of God we no longer live by the same rules the world does. My sons do not have the same rules to live by as your children might. As Christians we are bound by the Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to act and do things in accordance with God’s word. The problem today is that too many people have decided to allow things to go on that are contrary to the word of God. This is what is wrong in our churches today. It has become the hunt and peck system of living the Christian life. We only allow God’s Word to address issues that are not controversial; we avoid the areas that call people into conviction out of a desire not to judge. Our desire for political correctness is going to send individuals to hell.  When people cannot tell the difference between the church and the world maybe it is time we started holding those who claim to be Christians accountable to God’s Word. After all that is the standard we ourselves will one day be judged by. If you believe scripture is true, we will all one day stand before God and face that judgment ourselves. Do you realize that the Day of Judgment is not even taught in some denominations?  I believe the day has come that we must either be willing to offend while changes can be made or we will allow those who we call brothers and sister in Christ to be put to shame. I pray that in wisdom, grace and mercy we can begin to reclaim the values found in God’s word and restore honor to His name. I pray you have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.