"Do not judge so that you will not be judged." Matthew 7:1 (NASB)
It seems pretty cut and dry, doesn't it? Do not judge... How often do we find ourselves failing this simple order, passed by Jesus himself? It is the American Way to judge and diminish and belittle and to covet EVERYTHING. To do anything less seems simply...un-American. The truth is, we were ordered away from Judgement very clearly. Still, the biggest offence to non-believers is that Christians are "judgmental". I've seen it said so many times on social media and in person where people will say things like, "Repent or you will burn in hell!" Is that not judgement? "Oh, but really... you need Jesus." As true as that may be, who are we to judge? We see a post on Facebook by someone that is not of the faith and argue, often bringing a light of intolerance, hate, and judgement to the face of Jesus, while at the same time we say that He brought us love, forgiveness, and salvation. No wonder society thinks we're hypocrites.
Now, some popular arguments I've heard are taken from scripture. 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified by in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." This is often shortened to "God hates gays." and is spouted from more than a few Christian mouths I know. God hates this or God hates that... nowhere in the bible does it say that. In the book of Deuteronomy and Psalms, there are a few references to God hating sin, sure, but aren't we all sinners? Is it not why God sent Jesus to take away our sin? Judgement and Hate are one in the hearts of men, which is why Jesus gave us such a simple law in His new covenant. Love God and love your neighbor. If we break these laws, we turn our face from Jesus and therefor turn our backs on God. The "real" references to hate in the bible? 1st John 4:20 says this, "If someone says, "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."
Going back to the word "judgement", it is easily argued that we can judge our brothers and sisters based upon their faith. But you will find in 1st Corinthians 6:5 "I say this to your shame, is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren." Paul then tells us to take up our issues with a church elder, pastor, or teacher so they may pray about it. Still, it's in God's hands at that point. We did first judge, according to the situation, but the intentions were in the right place. Like in Romans 14:1 "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgement on his opinions."
A simple Google search on "Judgement Bible Verses" will show that there is a very high cost in judging non-believers and your brothers in Christ. When we are told these things that God does not approve of, they are for bettering ourselves and helping to build up the Body of Christ. What God hates, God hates, but Jesus told us to love. Our job is to Love and to spread the word of God, not to judge the world. Judgement is the duty, the honor, the privilege, and the burden that our Lord Jesus Christ reserved for himself.
At any rate, the only way to avoid becoming the dreaded fire and brimstone "Judgmental Christian" that brings unnecessary hate to the name of Jesus, is to love as we were instructed to love. This is the only law we have to keep. Spread the love of Jesus and share the Gospel, share your testimony of how Jesus saved you. If we do these things, we are being true Christians.
In conclusion, ask yourselves this question. Are you a servant of Hell, preaching a gospel of hate, hell-fire, and death? Or are we bond-servants of Jesus Christ, spreading a gospel of Eternal Live, Love, Forgiveness, Sacrifice, and Salvation?
I, for one, am the latter. I feel that the bible and my testimony back the path of love. If I had wondered into a church of hateful, judgmental Christians when I first gave my life to Christ, my life would be very different now. Please, I encourage you to pray on these things and see what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart.
I hope the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ blesses you all. In the spirit of Love and Unity as the Body of Christ,
Jimmy
No comments:
Post a Comment