Who am I to judge?

Christians, like any other minority (and believe me, we are a minority) are subject to many different stereotypes.  We are seen as hypocrites; overly pious, self-righteous people who look down at everyone else for being an awful sinner.  We’re viewed as being overly judgemental for having a definite black and white view of right and wrong, a view which clashes against worldly thinking on several accounts and doesn’t adapt to fit modern thinking.  And, unfortunately, cases of a few hateful extremists have done nothing but to cement this view amongst non-Christians.

The Christian idea of judgement is a tricky thing.  Do we, as Christians, have the right to judge others?  Do we even have a duty to judge others?  And what is the difference, if any, between a judgement and a rebuke?  The answer to these questions is critical.  It can mean the difference between a sharp, critical Christian who chastises others for any perceived improper act, and a soft ineffective Christian who doesn’t ever speak up to help or correct others for fear of being labeled as ‘judgemental’.

When I was a young Christian, I believed that it was immoral for any Christian to make any kind of remark about anyone else.  I even had a verse to back me up on this thinking!  Straight out of Jesus’ mouth, too.

"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?”  (Matthew 7:1-3)

Judge not!!  Judge not!!  Here were words that meant that I would never have to confront anyone about anything uncomfortable.  I could stay in my own personal bubble and never worry about having to speak to anyone else about any sort of sin in their life.  I wouldn’t have any problem with any sin, provided that it was done by others and not me.  Others are responsible for their own sins, and I need not have anything to do with it.

But if that was the case, then wouldn’t Jesus then be a person who never criticized or condemned anyone, who never gave correction at all?  If one believes that, then they should probably read the Gospels a bit closer.

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.  He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."  (Matthew 22: 12-13)

Or, what of when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, shocked at their indecency and calling out their sin for what it was? 

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.  (1 Corinthians 5:1-3)

This series will look closely on the action of judgement and rebuking, and discuss the following questions:

What is the difference between a judgement and a rebuke?

When is it appropriate to do either?  When is it inappropriate?

How, as a Christian, am I to respond to the sins of nonbelievers?

How, as a Christian, and I to respond to the sins of Christians?

Join me each week as we explore this topic!

For His glory,

Mark