How Are We As Christians Judge Others?

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever

you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another

you condemn yourself; for you who judge

practice the same thing. But we know that the

judgment of God is according to truth

against those who practice such things.

And do you thing this, O man, you who

judge those practicing such things, and

doing the same, that you will escape the

judgment of God?

Romans 2:1–3

            How many times have I heard that we as Christians are not to judge others. Is this what the above Scripture teaches? Somehow as Christians we are to tacitly approve by our not judging unrighteousness as though by not judging we are showing Christian love. Is this right? The opening Scripture clearly defines what we need to know: we are not to judge others when we might be doing the same thing. Usually a person condemns that which is either a sin that is occurring, or one that he has a propensity to do. Paul is clearly speaking to Christians that we are not to condemn when we are in sin and if we do so we condemn ourselves. If we do not end the sin that is besetting us, or acquiescing to allow others to sin and not speak up against that sin, we are liable to give God and answer for our laziness towards the will of God. To have, and be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Paul writing to the Corinthian Church reminds us: “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioners–not even to eat with such a person” (1Corinthians 5:11). It is clear that we are to judge, and that judgment begins in the house of God. Do we not judge those outside the Church? Yes! We are to condemn all unrighteousness and to make corrections as are needed by first not associating with those outside the Church: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Corinthians 15:33). It is clear, it is plain: “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you are truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1Corinthians 5:6–7). If you cannot clear out the leaven from your Church: LEAVE! Find a Church that does not allow sin called good. If you are associating with those outside the Church: LEAVE! What about family members who are sinning, living in fornication, drunk, taking illegal drugs, and will not listen to the truth and will not change? Jesus makes this so very clear: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). Oh! You cry! I cannot do this; it is my son, my daughter, my nephew, my niece, etc., and I just cannot see how God would require this of Me. Well, did Jesus not say those words I just quoted from Matthew? Did He not make this very clear and plain? Yes! Furthermore, Jesus said: “Therefore whoever

confesses Me before me, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before me, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not thing that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:32–34). Those words of Jesus are frightening, for He will deny us before God the Father, and we will have no confession that we might use in our defense. Is this hard? Yes! Is it what is required? Yes! Jesus said: “And he who does not take his cross, and follow after me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38). Jesus did not come to earth to make our life easier, to just be as some vending machine to give blessings, to answer all our requests. Jesus came to earth to divide the tares from the wheat. When we allow sin to enter in and to reside in our Churches and in our lives and we are not making sure our election, our salvation, we are fighting against God Himself. Who do you think will win? Paul speaking to the Christians at Corinth and to us: “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:5–6; cf. Psalm 62:12). Paul did not end at this point: “eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self–seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness––indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who des evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, and honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 2:7–10).

            Is it not time to take inventory of your faith, your walk with Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and not guided by this world and its unrighteous culture? Will you take the first step to do what is required of you as a child of God, a bride of Christ? You are not alone, there are others who too are taking this conversion for Jesus Christ seriously, and you will and can walk with them. Associate with those of like mind for Jesus Christ. You will be blessed, if not in this world, you will be in the life hereafter. Praise God!

Lovely, then, is the virtue of modesty, and sweet is its grace!

It is seen not only in actions, but even in our words,

so that we may not go beyond due measure in speech,

and that our words may not have an unbecoming sound.

The mirror of our mind often enough reflects its image in our words.

Sobriety weighs out the sound even of our voice,

for fear that too loud a voice should offend the ear of any one.

Nay, in singing itself the first rule is modesty,

and the same is true in every kind of speech, too,

so that a man may gradually learn to praise God, or to sing songs, or even to speak, in that the principles of modesty grace his advance.

Ambrose.

You are justified, Sanctified by God

Richard L. Crumb