Posted on 12/08/2012 2:24:39 PM PST by NYer
Do Catholics worship Mary? This question is as old as the Protestant Reformation itself, and it rests, like other disputed doctrinal points, on a false premise that has been turned into a wedge: the veneration of Mary detracts from the worship of Christ.
This seeming opposition between Mary and Christ is symptomatic of the Protestant tendency, begun by Luther, to view the entirety of Christian life through a dialectical lens – a lens of conflict and division. With the Reformation the integrity of Christianity is broken and its formerly coherent elements are now set in opposition. The Gospel versus the Law. Faith versus Works. Scripture versus Tradition. Authority versus Individuality. Faith versus Reason. Christ versus Mary.
The Catholic tradition rightly sees the mutual complementarity of these elements of the faith, as they all contribute to our ultimate end – living with God now and in eternity. To choose any one of these is to choose them all.
By contrast, to assert that Catholics worship Mary along with or in place of Christ, or that praying to Mary somehow impedes Christ’s role as “the one mediator between God and men” (1 Tim 2:5) is to create a false dichotomy between the Word made flesh and the woman who gave the Word his flesh. No such opposition exists. The one Mediator entrusted his mediation to the will and womb of Mary. She does not impede his mediation – she helps to make it possible.
Within this context we see the ancillary role that the ancilla Domini plays in her divine Son’s mission. Mary’s is not a surrogate womb rented and then forgotten in God’s plan. She is physically connected to Christ and his life, and because of this she is even more deeply connected to him in the order of grace. She is, in fact, “full of grace,” as only one who is redeemed by Christ could be.
The feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception celebrates the very first act of salvation by Christ in the world. Redemption is made possible for all by his precious blood shed on the cross. Yet Mary’s role in the Savior’s life and mission is so critical and so unique that God saw it necessary to wash her in the blood of the Lamb in advance, at the first moment of her conception.
This reality could not be more Biblical: the angel greets Mary as “full of grace” (Luke 1:28), which is literally rendered as “already graced” (kecharitōmenē). Following Mary, the Church has “pondered what sort of greeting this might be” for centuries. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception, ultimately defined in 1854, is nothing other than a rational expression of the angel’s greeting contained in Scripture: Mary is “already graced” with Christ’s redemption at the very moment of her creation.
Because God called Mary to the unique vocation of serving as the Mother of God, it is not just her soul that is graced, as is the case for us when we receive the sacraments. Mary’s entire being, body and soul, is full of grace so that she may be a worthy ark for the New Covenant. And just as the ark of the old covenant was adorned with gold to be a worthy house for God’s word, Mary is conceived without original sin to be the living and holy house for God’s Word.
Thus Mary is not only conceived immaculately, that is, without stain of sin. She also is the Immaculate Conception. Her entire being was specifically created by God with unique privilege so that she could fulfill her role in God’s plan of salvation. “Free from sin,” both original and personal, is the necessary consequence of being “full of grace.”
Protestants claim that veneration of Mary as it is practiced by Catholics is not biblical. St. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Paul is not holding himself up as the end goal, but as a means to Christ, the true end. And if a person is imitated, he is simultaneously venerated.
If we should imitate Paul, how much more should we imitate Mary, who fulfilled God’s will to the greatest degree a human being could. Throughout her life she humbled herself so that God could be exalted, and because of this, Christ has fulfilled his promise by exalting his lowly mother to the seat closest to him in God’s kingdom.
Mary is the model of humility, charity, and openness to the will of God. She allows a sword to pierce her heart for the sake of the world’s salvation. She shows us the greatness to which we are called: a life free from sin and filled with God’s grace that leads to union with God in Heaven. She is the model disciple, and therefore worthy of imitation and veneration, not as an end in herself, but as the means to the very purpose of her – and our – existence: Christ himself.
God’s lowly handmaiden would not want it any other way.
OK. I was raised Catholic. I know the Catholic church's claims about itself, to be the one true church.
I am not *invincibly ignorant* by Catholic church standards so I know what position that puts me in IN THE EYES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
I disagree with that based on my reading and understanding of the clear and plain meaning of Scripture. Salvation is through a PERSON, not an organization. It is by grace, through faith, not of works so that NO ONE can BOAST.
I do not agree that salvation is through a church, ANY church. I do not agree that my salvation is to be finished by works (Galatians 3) of any kind.
If it were, it wouldn't be through mercy and grace, it would be wages due for performance given. God would owe me salvation for what I did.
Nobody can stand before God and say that He owes them because they did fill in the blank, even when it is combined with acknowledging His existence.
Remember, Jesus said the tax collector who recognized who and what he was before a holy God and asked God for His mercy went away JUSTIFIED, rather than the Pharisee who appealed to his good works.
God doesn't need our works. He wants our hearts.
Please tell me you are pulling my chain. Did you not see ”infallible statement from the chair of Peter”>/b>?
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, “Cantate Domino,” 1441, ex cathedra ( infallible statement from the chair of Peter): “The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the Church before the end of their lives; that the unity of this ecclesiastical body is of such importance that only for those who abide in it do the Church’s sacraments contribute to salvation and do fasts, almsgiving and other works of piety and practices of the Christian militia produce eternal rewards; and that nobody can be saved, no matter how much he has given away in alms and even if he has shed blood in the name of Christ, unless he has persevered in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
Now you want to be clear?? Seriously??
>>The church does not claim to know who will be saved or not,<<
Well according to the Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence speaking ex cathedra they sure are saying who definitely cannot be saved.
>>because that would be pretending to be an all knowing God.<<
You said it! Or maybe replacing or standing in place of God. Vicar of Christ? What do you think we have been telling people around here?
>>That is what cults do<<
That’s what I’ve been thinking also. Oh and don’t forget. Once it’s made ex cathedra or an infallible statement from the chair of Peter it can’t be changed without proclaiming that the Pope insn’t infallible after all even when speaking ex cathedra so for all time Catholics must admit that no one outside the Catholic Church can be saved per the Catholic Church.
So, “let me be clear”. That self proclaimed infallible statement from the chair of Peter is part of what ALL catholics must believe or be considered anathema.
No wonder you have such a problem with our Pope being the final authority. It seems you think you know Catholisism better than Catholics, and the Pope, and only you are infallable. Whatever makes you happy....May God repay you in kind, and judge you according to your judgement of others.
I come on to talk about issues that have an eternal consequence - it is serious stuff and I can't pretend it's not.
Me too, very serious stuff.
I pray that those who are putting anything between them and Jesus will see the light of the possibility of a personal relationship with Him, which brings immense Joy.
What is that song?
The Joy of the Lord is my strength
Or is it
The strength of the Lord is my Joy.
Either way it is the truth!
Happy New Year to you!
I’ve never understood that attitude and perspective. So people who have never heard of Christ are saved if they are good people and try to “seek God” (whatever that may be) with a sincere heart are saved. Then the church sends out missionaries to “preach the gospel of Christ” and those people reject it. (obviously because they feel they already know God and it’s not the one the missionaries are preaching) They then go to hell when prior to them “preaching the Gospel” to them they were saved? Why would Christ say “go into all the world”?
Wow!!!!! No wonder Catholics get stuck on legalisms. Haven’t they heard about “believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – and your house”? I don’t remember reading about Paul spending the next month on legalize.
But, but, but it’s not a cult. I swear it’s not a cult. The priest said it’s not a cult and even the Pope said it’s not a cult. No where in the CCC does it say the RCC is a cult so it can’t be a cult. Now the RCC and many others within the Catholic Church do talk about the cult of Mary but that doesn’t mean what it sounds like it means cuz…….well I don’t know but it doesn’t.
That is not what the Catechism is saying at all. It says what it says.
There is also this, which CANNOT be ignored by any professing Catholic.
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, “Cantate Domino,” 1441,ex cathedra ( infallible statement from the chair of Peter): “The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the Church before the end of their lives; that the unity of this ecclesiastical body is of such importance that only for those who abide in it do the Church’s sacraments contribute to salvation and do fasts, almsgiving and other works of piety and practices of the Christian militia produce eternal rewards; and that nobody can be saved, no matter how much he has given away in alms and even if he has shed blood in the name of Christ, unless he has persevered in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
Additionally, I have been told by Catholics on this board that once a Catholic, always a Catholic. That baptism into the Catholic church leaves an indelible mark on one's soul.
The pope is final authority only for those who want to out themselves under him. He is NOT the final authority for anyone outside the Catholic church.
Scripture is the TRUTH and does not change. *It is written...* is the only authority anyone needs to know.
Only God knows people's hearts, that is why only He can determine at anytime who is saved or not, even at the time of death. Circumstances and cultures effect people. If a person was brought up with no respect for others, but didn't judge others harshly, God's judgement would likely be more merciful on that person, than the person who recieved many Grace's from God and didn't respect it, and was harsh and arrogant towards others.
Just an example, but only God knows a person's heart, circumstances, and actions in life.
God was very clear about people being judgemental, and how He will return that judgement. I personally try not to ridicule other religions or people. I also cringe for a person's sould, when I read these judgemental accusations against another person's faith in God, being in God's name. That's just me, because I do know better.
Somehow it seems that haSatan selectedshalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Fatima for a site of apostasy.The fingerprints of the Father of all lies is on it.
and what church do you belong to interesting one?
I belong to NO man-made Church. I know that I have been "called-out" by YHvH. I assume you mean what Church.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimah
How interesting.
Interesting indeed.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Fatimah (Arabic: فاطمة; fāṭimah; pronounced /ˈfɑːtˤɪma/; born c. 605[1][2] or 615[3] – d. 633) was a daughter of Muhammad and Khadijah, wife of Ali and mother of Hasan and Husain, and one of the five members of Ahl al-Bayt.[1][2] She became the object of great veneration by all Muslims,
That is interesting. What did YHvH tell you about salvation, Catholics, and everything else?
Oh really? So all those saints Catholic pray to who the RCC declared were saved and thus went to heaven was what exactly?
>> If a person was brought up with no respect for others, but didn't judge others harshly, God's judgement would likely be more merciful on that person, than the person who recieved many Grace's from God and didn't respect it, and was harsh and arrogant towards others.<<
“likely”? “likely”? Did you get that from scripture or ex cathedra or what?
>> God was very clear about people being judgemental,<<
Yes He was.
John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
We are to “judge with right judgement”. How else could we possibly follow all the other scriptures that tell us not to “be not unequally yoked” or to “rebuke before all” or be one who “converteth the sinner from the error of his way” if we don’t judge which is right and which is wrong?
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
It's best to understand ALL of scripture rather than pic a choose verses to hide behind.
All the Apostles are saints. Do you believe they went to hell? another person you may be familiar with is Mother Theresa, do you think she went to hell.
There are amazing Catholics that gave up everything, and gladly suffered, to serve God, who to us undoubtedly are in heaven, and continue to battle the Father of Deception for our souls.
People like Mother Theresa show me proof of God's love, not some anonymous bloggers. But I respect your point of view, and enjoy the entertainment. Thank you.
See Gen. 2:19; 4:26; 16:11; 1 Ki. 18:24; 2 Ki. 5:11; 1 Chr. 16:8; Ps. 105:1; 116:13, 17; Isa. 7:14; 12:4; 44:5; 48:2; Jer. 3:17; Mic. 6:9; Zeph. 3:9; Zech. 13:9; Rom. 10:13; 1 Co. 1:2; Jas. 5:14 & Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 Yah'shua's NAME in Hebrew is "YHvH is/be my Salvation" ! Take comfort today in Psalm 35 verse 1-3 Yah'shua, the name of the L-rd. His Name Yah'shua(Jesus) gives us hope Do not be mis-led by later syncretic systems. He instructed me to call on His NAME and I will be saved.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Contend YHvH
Rejoice -- YHvH has become my salvation.
say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'
as "YHvH has become my Salvation".
How do you become saved ?
mgist:That is interesting. What did YHvH tell you about salvation, Catholics, and everything else?
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P27.HTM
From the CCC.....
751 The word "Church" (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to "call out of") means a convocation or an assembly. It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose.139 Ekklesia is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by God as his holy people.140 By calling itself "Church," the first community of Christian believers recognized itself as heir to that assembly. In the Church, God is "calling together" his people from all the ends of the earth. the equivalent Greek term Kyriake, from which the English word Church and the German Kirche are derived, means "what belongs to the Lord."
Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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.
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
John 7:24
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Romans 2:1-3 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Romans 14:1-13 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...
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.
Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
John 8:7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Matthew 7:1-29 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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. ...
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 6:37-42 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ...
James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...
Titus 3:2-7 To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ...
Romans 12:16-19 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
Romans 2:3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
Matthew 7:1-6 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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. ...
Isaiah 11:3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Galatians 6:1-6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. ...
1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV / 59 helpful votes Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Galatians 5:22-6:5 ESV / 56 helpful votes But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ... 1 John 3:17 ESV / 55 helpful votes But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 Peter 4:8-9 ESV / 54 helpful votes Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 ESV / 51 helpful votes When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ... John 3:16-17 ESV / 51 helpful votes “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. James 1:19-22 ESV / 45 helpful votes Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Leviticus 19:15 ESV / 45 helpful votes “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 43 helpful votes Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ... 2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV / 41 helpful votes And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Matthew 7:12 ESV / 40 helpful votes “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 6:33 ESV / 40 helpful votes But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 7:15 ESV / 38 helpful votes “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Colossians 3:12-15 ESV / 36 helpful votes Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 1 John 4:11-12 ESV / 35 helpful votes Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. James 3:17 ESV / 35 helpful votes But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Titus 2:11-15 ESV / 33 helpful votes For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ESV / 32 helpful votes For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” Romans 12:9-11 ESV / 31 helpful votes Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Luke 18:10-14 ESV / 31 helpful votes “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 2 Timothy 2:21-23 ESV / 30 helpful votes Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. Romans 12:20-21 ESV / 30 helpful votes To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-16 ESV / 28 helpful votes We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, Psalm 15:1-5 ESV / 28 helpful votes A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. 1 Peter 2:1-4 ESV / 27 helpful votes So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 27 helpful votes For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 27 helpful votes “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 27 helpful votes Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ... 2 Timothy 3:5-6 ESV / 26 helpful votes Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 26 helpful votes I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Ezekiel 22:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes “And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to her all her abominations. 1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 24 helpful votes Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 2 Peter 3:18 ESV / 24 helpful votes But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV / 24 helpful votes But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV / 23 helpful votes For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Romans 12:13-15 ESV / 23 helpful votes Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 22 helpful votes So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 22 helpful votes But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV / 21 helpful votes For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 1 John 4:7-10 ESV / 20 helpful votes Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 20 helpful votes Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 2 Timothy 1:14 ESV / 20 helpful votes By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV / 20 helpful votes I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ... 2 Peter 2:9 ESV / 19 helpful votes Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, James 1:25 ESV / 19 helpful votes But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 5:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 1 Corinthians 5:1-3 ESV / 17 helpful votes It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. John 13:1-21:25 ESV / 17 helpful votes Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ... Matthew 9:11 ESV / 17 helpful votes And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 1 Peter 3:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? James 5:19-20 ESV / 16 helpful votes My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. John 12:46-48 ESV / 16 helpful votes I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. John 5:24 ESV / 16 helpful votes Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 2 Peter 1:8-10 ESV / 15 helpful votes For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. Psalm 35:1-28 ESV / 15 helpful votes Of David. Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! ... Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 14 helpful votes The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ... John 12:48 ESV / 13 helpful votes The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. John 8:15-16 ESV / 13 helpful votes You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 13 helpful votes Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. 1 Timothy 5:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. Philippians 4:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Galatians 3:28 ESV / 12 helpful votes There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 53:1-6 ESV / 12 helpful votes Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ... Proverbs 19:1-29 ESV / 12 helpful votes Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. ... Psalm 18:1-50 ESV / 12 helpful votes To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. ... James 4:11 ESV / 11 helpful votes Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. Romans 16:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Romans 1:29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,
1 Corinthians 7:8-9 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Jude 1:3-4 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
John 12:37-50 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. ...
That is making a judgment about them.
Judgment is judgment. Or does it matter of someone makes a *good* judgment about someone as opposed to a *bad* judgment about them.
Or perhaps it's a matter if one LIKES the judgment others are making or not. For example, someone would not object to others judging them if they judged that they were going to heaven, but might object if the judgment was that they weren't going to heaven.
Perhaps people don't object when the judgment is favorable to them. You think?
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