I think that too often as Christians we let things "blow over" in the name of grace. "Well, we're Christians, and the Bible says we shouldn't judge." Really? Let's look at that for a minute.
One of the most detailed passages on the subject is found in 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.
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.
Nowhere in this passage does it say to ignore the speck -to blow over it, and pretend it doesn't exist.
And if we are not allowed to judge in any form, how do you explain these verses:
I am NOT a Scripture expert. I have not been to seminary, or Bible college. To the best of my knowledge, I am not called to be a prophet...or a judge of others. But, I do believe that I am called to measure everything against the standards that God has set forth in Scripture. To see right and wrong. To decide between good, better, best.
Have you ever looked up "judge" in the Thesaurus? Let me give you a sample of what you will find. Decide. Determine. Discern (hmmm. Biblical word?). Examine. Evaluate. I could be wrong, but it would seem to me that maybe a better word for the judgment that Christians should avoid would be "condemnation." Again, I could be wrong, but to me, verses such as the passage in Matthew 7 are not a license to allow things that are wrong to go unchecked.
Shouldn't we, as Christians, be the ones to stand up for what is right? When do you make the stand? How often do we, in the premise of confidentiality, cover up something that we know is blatantly wrong? Won't we be held accountable because we chose not to act?
That's where I find myself right now. And I have to tell you, it is a struggle for me. I am not struggling with the issue itself. The specifics of that, to me, should be pretty black and white. I am struggling with the actions and attitudes of those who are involved, in positions of authority, that go so very much against what we are called to live out as Christians. Cover ups for the sake of appearances. (White-washed tombs?) Decisions based more on concern for the institution than on concern for its people. (Hypocritical?)
I am the first to admit that I am not perfect. I fail - regularly - in my walk with Christ. It's called sin. I would like to think I do it less now than I did before, but in reality, sin is sin. If it's in my life, my rag is filthy. Every evil thought - or in my case sarcastic is probably the better analogy - pounds that nail a little deeper in to Jesus hands and feet. I am not proud of that.
I think I am just disappointed. I would hope that in the community of believers there would be a difference. There would be a higher standard. I would hope that people would be the priority. But I am reminded more and more that Christians are sinners who have found a Savior, and that our Savior isn't finished with us yet. I can only pray that the decisions that have been made will not come back to hurt innocent people. Am I condemning those involved? No. But, I am looking at their actions, their words and their motives and holding them up to the standards that I see set forth in Scripture - and they are falling short. Is that judgment? I guess so.
And if we are not allowed to judge in any form, how do you explain these verses:
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24
The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:9
The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:9
I am NOT a Scripture expert. I have not been to seminary, or Bible college. To the best of my knowledge, I am not called to be a prophet...or a judge of others. But, I do believe that I am called to measure everything against the standards that God has set forth in Scripture. To see right and wrong. To decide between good, better, best.
Have you ever looked up "judge" in the Thesaurus? Let me give you a sample of what you will find. Decide. Determine. Discern (hmmm. Biblical word?). Examine. Evaluate. I could be wrong, but it would seem to me that maybe a better word for the judgment that Christians should avoid would be "condemnation." Again, I could be wrong, but to me, verses such as the passage in Matthew 7 are not a license to allow things that are wrong to go unchecked.
Shouldn't we, as Christians, be the ones to stand up for what is right? When do you make the stand? How often do we, in the premise of confidentiality, cover up something that we know is blatantly wrong? Won't we be held accountable because we chose not to act?
That's where I find myself right now. And I have to tell you, it is a struggle for me. I am not struggling with the issue itself. The specifics of that, to me, should be pretty black and white. I am struggling with the actions and attitudes of those who are involved, in positions of authority, that go so very much against what we are called to live out as Christians. Cover ups for the sake of appearances. (White-washed tombs?) Decisions based more on concern for the institution than on concern for its people. (Hypocritical?)
I am the first to admit that I am not perfect. I fail - regularly - in my walk with Christ. It's called sin. I would like to think I do it less now than I did before, but in reality, sin is sin. If it's in my life, my rag is filthy. Every evil thought - or in my case sarcastic is probably the better analogy - pounds that nail a little deeper in to Jesus hands and feet. I am not proud of that.
I think I am just disappointed. I would hope that in the community of believers there would be a difference. There would be a higher standard. I would hope that people would be the priority. But I am reminded more and more that Christians are sinners who have found a Savior, and that our Savior isn't finished with us yet. I can only pray that the decisions that have been made will not come back to hurt innocent people. Am I condemning those involved? No. But, I am looking at their actions, their words and their motives and holding them up to the standards that I see set forth in Scripture - and they are falling short. Is that judgment? I guess so.
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged,
and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Is it wrong to hope so? It's kind of scary, but I hope that those who care about me will not allow me to sin unchecked and brush it away in the name of grace. I hope they will hold me accountable to the standards set forth in Scripture.
I will fail, and I will fail repeatedly, but I never want to pretend it is okay or try to hide my indiscretions in the name of grace. To me, that is the definitions of lunacy with the a capital L.
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)
I will fail, and I will fail repeatedly, but I never want to pretend it is okay or try to hide my indiscretions in the name of grace. To me, that is the definitions of lunacy with the a capital L.
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