Question and answer - A) Is it not okay to judge others when that judgement is based on biblical truth. And B) Judgement - people (especially non-believer) take this verse out of context. Sin is still sin and they should not be tolerated because we 'should not judge'. Would like to discuss this further.
These 2 questions deserve much more than blog attention but I will attempt here and maybe we can discuss a bit in class as well!
Short answer: Is your intention to bring someone closer to Christ or to point them out and….?
It seems that whenever one person confronts another person over an issue, the statement "Do not judge!" comes up. Christians are often accused of "judging" in contradiction to what the Bible says whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses which state, "Do not judge." When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "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? How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for their sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is their Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with their sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God's Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us, "Preach the Word ; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction." We are to "judge" sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences - the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).Recommended Resource: Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, & Brauch.
If we TRULY believe “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and FOR Him. He is before all things, and in Him ALL things hold together” – Col 1:16-17 – then we have no reason to fear that all by ourselves we must correct the path of man corporately or personally one by one. That does not mean we are not to discern (see above question and answer on ‘ok to judge on biblical truth) and admonish as per the above. It means that our intention is not about tolerating but to deliver the message that Christ is the answer – not our argument that whatever sin it is is wrong. We should hate sin! But we shouldn’t hate the sinner. It is important not to see ourselves as a judge on sin. The “smallest” to the “largest” sin is still sin to a Holy God. We, therefore, cannot claim to be a righteous judge. Great question and I believe I understood the intent as noble and seeking the Lord so please bear with me as I try to write out something that would be a great conversation. I look forward to more on this thread.
NOTE: I am not a bible scholar nor do I understand all of the context around each item so I am going with what I know and can discern from what is written. Please comment on the item and, if I miss the real point please let me know. I have written the questions down exactly as they were written on the paper with no structure or wording changes. As promised, I will also work diligently with those that know the bible better than I to answer some of these questions. I expect that some of these questions and answers may be controversial. I am attempting only to impart truth and point to it. Please be patient with me and the answers. If I have said something that offends you or is inaccurate respond please. I will consult with a pastor and get back to you. Thanks to all for sharing!
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