All judgment must be tempered with mercy. Jesus clearly taught that we can see others imperfections (the "mote" in their eye) and help to remove it ONCE we have first gotten the "beam" out of our own eye. The purpose is to help and not hurt: constructive criticism, not self-righteousness or sinister motivations.
There is a great difference between judging an act and condemning a person to Gehenna (Hell) fire. Only God truly knows the thoughts and intents, and potential, of any individual. When God delivered to Moses various statutes and laws for the nation of Israel, He commanded that they judge and condemn to death some individuals for certain infractions.
When Jesus pardoned the woman caught in adultery, He didn't excuse her actions but admonished her to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). In other words, repent (1 John 3:4; 2:4). He acknowledged it was a sin worthy of death, but obviously forgave her for God's greater purpose, discerning a truly repentant attitude.
She didn't argue about what technically constituted sin, lie about it, or threaten to vigorously go after her accusers. Jesus had let their own guilty thoughts shame them into leaving the scene and leaving her alone with the Savior (where we must all ultimately appear).
Again, the apostle Paul wrote that "he that is spiritual judges all things" (1 Cor. 2:15). Today such a Scripture would be politically incorrect. It appears as if it's "live and let live," "never judge," as long as whatever it is is wrong and not right! The spiritual person is to judge everything based upon the Law Book that we call the Holy Bible. In fact, the fact that so many people are confused as to what's right and wrong and have blurred any DISTINCTION between the two is the fault of faulty ministers!
Yes, I'm judging them! I'm judging them by their lack of performance since the Scripture teaches that they're supposed to "teach my people the DIFFERENCE between the holy and the profane, and cause them to DISCERN between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it ACCORDING TO MY JUDGMENTS (not the latest poll): and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths" (Ezek. 44:23-24).
We're to view the news from a higher perspective, through God's eyes, and judge everything accordingly (Isa. 55:8-9). As is far too evident in our attitudes and actions, we're so far away from true spirituality that it's past time to read God's mind and go by the Book! (Deut.17:18-20). Without that stabilizing standard there's only chaos and confusion.
May God bless the American and British peoples, and our Jewish brethren, to remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities, restore law and order and flourish rather than flounder (Malachi 4:4).
Published by David Ben-Ariel
David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. www.davidbenariel.org View profile
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3 Comments
Post a Comment1 Corinthians
Chapter 5
11 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people,
10 not at all referring to the immoral of this world or the greedy and robbers or idolaters; for you would then have to leave the world.
11 But I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person.
12 For why should I be judging outsiders? Is it not your business to judge those within?
13 God will judge those outside. "Purge the evil person from your midst."
Apparently, judging from your judgmental response, you failed to read or grasp the article content. Christians are commanded to judge all things by the Word of God, and we gladly leave the final judgment to God.
Way to self-justify and feel better about assuming that you're somehow good enough to judge anyone. You're in the same boat as everyone else; you're alive, and someday, you will die. You can spend your entire life judging how other people live and...where's that get you? You're still in the same ol' boat, still alive, and someday, you'll die just the same. Or, you can worry about living your own life and judge the only person you're fit to judge to begin with; yourself. Worry more about you. Live your own life. Let other people live theirs, hmm? After all, no matter what you think, you still die at the end of this story, so why waste your time on stage wagging fingers at everyone else? Think about it.