Posted on 12/01/2016 9:12:37 AM PST by SeekAndFind
News reports are featuring famous athletes, actors, and pop-stars being asked about abortion and gay-marriage. Often, they criticize Christians: "Doesn't the Bible say 'judge not'; who are you to tell people what they can, and cannot do?"
Unfortunately, misrepresentation of this Scripture is common among the media and other groups who often misquote Jesus' words from Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Ironically, few reference another scripture that also deals with judging, John 7:24. Here Jesus encourages His followers to "judge with righteous judgment."
At first, these two scriptures may seem contradictory, but when we look at the context and the true meaning of "judge," we clearly see that there is no contradiction. This misrepresentation of "judging" is an attempt to conform scripture to support opinions, when, in fact, moral values are designed to conform to scriptural truths. Personal opinions vary — truth does not.
We tend to pick and choose certain Scriptures as if they were choices on a menu. But we can't choose those we like and discard the rest. I liken it to someone skimming through the pages of my first book, What Works When "Diets" Don't, and reading: "Eat whatever foods you choose." In its entirety, it actually reads, "If you follow these guidelines, stay within these ranges, and avoid these foods, you can eat whatever foods you choose." Reading and following fragments of information can be misleading. If we apply only what we choose, we can easily miss what we need.
Judging within the context of Matthew 7:1 refers to the type of judgment that a judge would render in a court of law, such as in Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge another's servant?" A judge hears the evidence and pronounces a judgment. We are in no position to do this — we don't have all the facts. God tells us to leave justice to Him because He is the judge.
In John 7:24, however, Christians are to judge or "call into question" those things that clearly contradict God's principles. In 1 Corinthians 2:15, the apostle Paul said that those who are spiritual should judge and discern all things.
The famous reformer, John Calvin, commenting on this topic, said, "These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging, but are intended to cure a disease — criticism."
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state."
Serving as the conscience of the people has been one of the primary functions of the church since its conception. Scripturally, we are commanded to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, truth and error, light and darkness.
We are to judge according to the truth, especially pastors. To truly help people, we must preach the difficult truths as well as the joyful ones; preach the cross and the new life; preach hell and preach heaven; preach damnation and preach salvation; preach sin and preach grace; preach wrath and preach love; preach judgment and preach mercy; preach obedience and preach forgiveness; preach that God "is love," but don't forget that God is just. It is the love of God that compels us to share all of His truth.
Regarding moral issues that destroy lives and dishonor God, we are to judge ("call into question") behaviors, choices, and lifestyles that lead people in a dangerous direction, especially if these issues are to become social policy and legally sanctioned.
On another note, within the church itself we are to judge, but this is often misunderstood, and we can easily become "wrongfully" judgmental ... failure to recognize diverse gifts may explain why.
For instance, many Christians have different ministries, but all fall under the umbrella of Christian service. Within each of us, God creates varying desires, talents, and levels of interests. If God has called a man to preach His Word, that will be his passion. If God has called a Christian to pursue politics, that will be his or her passion. God established the concept of government; therefore, He desires godly leaders who govern according to His standards. If God has called a Christian to concentrate primarily on feeding the poor, that will be his or her passion. If God has called a Christian to the mission field in Africa, that will be his or her passion, and so on.
Problems arise when we fail to respect different gifts. For example, those who believe that Christians should not mention controversial topics contradict the most basic of principles. From time to time, God clearly calls us to do just that — to confront, rebuke, and challenge. I encourage you to read Jesus' words to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, to the religious leaders of His day, and to the cities that did not repent.
Those who have been called to preach, much like the prophets of old, will confront compromise, condemn social digression, and powerfully denounce sin in the hope of reconciling man to God — they speak the truth in love. However, a spirit of compassion and understanding should move us, not judgmentalism. It's often not what we say but how we say it that tilts the scale.
Admittedly, I've failed in this area because I did not exercise grace at opportune times. We should not excuse sin in exchange for tolerance — extending grace does not mean approving of sinful behavior, but it does mean extending compassion.
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Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at shaneidleman.com or wcfav.org.
Matthew 7 NIV
[ Judging Others ] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ...
I’ve heard it rendered “Condemn not that you be not condemned”
Bookmark
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Mostly it means to deal with the whole thought, not just the opening clause!
Judge not that ye be not judged.
IOW your judgement sets the standard by which you will be judged.
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John 7:24 ESV
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Either way, what Jesus was saying is to be careful how you judge others, judge yourself first. It wasn’t a complete forbidding of it. You take care of your own life first before throwing stones at others................
Correct. Judge by the Law not by the opinions of others or yourself.............
It means don’t be a hypocrite.
“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state.”
Excellent analogy. Once the State outlaws its conscience, it becomes tyrannical, and feels good about itself.
Jonah has the perfect example of the type of judging that we are not to do. In the 4th chapter of Jonah, it becomes clear that Jonah felt Ninevah deserved what they had coming and did not want God’s grace extended to Ninevah.
Conversely, the Old Testament tells us to “confront your neighbor frankly, so that you do not share in his sin.”. It tells at least one of the prophets, “If I say the wicked will die in their sins and you do not open your mouth to warn them, then I will hold you accountable for their blood.”
The New Testament tells us to discern the spirits and to disassociate from those who teach immorality. Clearly we are to recognize sin and attempt to address it.
But even though we see and acknowledge someone’s sin we are never to judge them as being worthless in God’s eyes or beyond God’s grace.
The “judging” issue really boils down to the Gospel of the Grace of Christ which the church lost early on but in these last days is rediscovering.
Mercy rejoices against judgment (James 2:13) in the gospel of the grace of Christ.
The gospel of the grace of Christ as revealed in the New Testament, especially Romans, Galatians and Hebrews, says that we are redeemed and justified forever by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. We are righteous, not because of what we do but because of what Jesus did (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21). Jesus’ perfect and eternal sacrifice took away our sins and the sins of the whole world (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2).
Because of the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross, God says in declaration of the New Covenant, “I no longer remember their sins and iniquities” (Heb. 8:12, 10:17). God doesn’t judge our sins because he judged them on the body of his Son, Jesus Christ, and God is not unrighteous to commit double jeopardy in judging the same sin twice.
Therefore, if God, the Judge of all the living and the dead, doesn’t judge people’s sins because they were already fully judged on the body of Jesus, who are we to judge another? Are we greater than God? Have we achieved forgiveness because of our righteousness? Hardly. Therefore, we have no room to judge another.
The cross changed everything for time and eternity. It changed the issue from the problem of our sins and iniquities, which we were born into, could do nothing about, and which Christ resolved, to the issue of receiving Christ. The only issue for time and eternity is “What have you done with Christ?” Receiving Christ and his free gift of salvation is all that is needed for our redemption for all eternity.
So there is no room to judge another. Only God knows who has received Him in their hearts from the most vile to the most revered. Many vile will be in Heaven to the surprise of many and many revered will not be there. Our righteousness is as filthy rags and will never save us (Is 64:6). Only the work of Christ and His blood, not our works, will save us (Rom 3:10-28).
Yes. You can judge the act, but never the person. That is God’s purview and God the Judge is the One who justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5).
Admittedly, I've failed in this area because I did not exercise grace at opportune times. We should not excuse sin in exchange for tolerance — extending grace does not mean approving of sinful behavior, but it does mean extending compassion.
I don't believe I have ever seen or heard the ministration of graciousness described this way, but it meets any test The Bereans would apply to it.
From the standpoint of Jesus, The Redeemer, Who did not come to judge the world (for it and all the people in it were already condemned), but rather to exercise compassion, that whosoever believeth in Him might be saved.
My FRiend, it seems your thought here entirely misses the point of this article. The point is that in some cases, a Christian ought to judge and execute judgment on sin and on the sinner, and in other cases not, all according to the context under which certain Scriptural principles apply.
Your comment in this Post #14 is judged by the article, and found lacking in balance. I believe your theology needs some major realignment. God hates both sinners as well as their sins, and sends them to Hell, particularly when the person dies in his/her sin.
Scripture for your case?
I can give you at least 5 scriptures that says Jim is right.
John 3:16
John 6:29
John 11:25
Acts 16:31
Romans 10:9
Those Born-Again in Christ for their Faith in Him, will not be condemned are not Judged. Their sins are gone forever, whatever those sins may be. No man can be saved by their own behavior.
====excerpt====
"Telling someone that God loves them unconditionally is perhaps the most blasphemous statement one can make. Unconditional love means Jesus' sacrifice for us was unnecessary. Unconditional love means faith in God and Jesus Christ is not necessary. Unconditional love means that God sinned in throwing Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden because He could have simply forgiven them unconditionally. Unconditional love means God made a mistake by bring Noah's flood upon the world because it was a conditional response to mankind for their sins. The "unconditional love" doctrine is extremely evil because it blasphemes God's holy attributes. God never exhibits unconditional love and neither should we. Evil doers must always be punished, never forgiven unconditionally. God requires every individual to repent from their evil ways, confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Every person who fails to do and believe God's plan of salvation will be thrown in the Eternal Lake of Fire to be tormented forever.
God certainly does hate. God hates those who are unrighteous as well. God does not love the sinner. God hates pride. God hates a liar. God hates a murderer. God hates a person who develops evil plans. God hates people who are swift to do evil. God hates a perjurer. God hates a person who tries to stir up discord among the true Body of Christ. God hates divorce except for adultery. God does not love the evil person. God is not looking at the sin. He is looking at the person. The sin is not a separate entity apart from the sinner. The Bible shows throughout that God never separates the sinful person from the sin. Everyone will be held accountable and judged accordingly by a Holy God. The unconditional love of God does not exist. It is nonsense and false teaching. God's rejection of sinful people runs throughout the Bible, from Genesis to the Lake of Fire in Revelation. God threw Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. Jesus Christ will throw all unbelieving evil people into the Lake of Fire in the last days."
====end of excerpt====
This is so certain that I'm not even going to wrangle with you or about it any more. If you can't grasp this, it will not be my fault. It would be for your lack of spiritual maturity, excusable only if you will seek to let Scripture teach you under control of the Holy Ghost.
God hates both sinners as well as their sins
Show me one instance where Jesus, the revelation of God the Father, "hated" sinners. The only people he rebuked were the self-righteous Pharisees & Co.
Jesus receives sinners (Luke 15:2) and is the friend of sinners (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:34) of whom I am chief.
The God you say hates sinners "justifies the ungodly" (Rom 4:5) and has taken away their sins (John 1:19; 1 John 2:2).
You may condemn sinners but not God. "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17). I don't know who your God is but this God of the New Covenant of the Grace of Christ, a New and Living Way, is my God.
And oh BTW, there's a huge difference between judging the sin, which is OK for us to do, and judging the sinner, which we are told to avoid. "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judges do the same things" (Rom 2:1).
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