Musings on Christianity 10
Should We Judge or Not?
The most persecution I think I witness Christianity receive is when they are being attacked for their beliefs. The sad thing is, they’re not being ridiculed because they believe in Christ per se. Many people can (and do) say “I’m Christian.” They’re scorned when they apply Christian doctrine to real world situations.
If I say to you, “I’m a Christian,” you might say to me, “That’s nice.” You may even say, “I’m not, but do you.” But if I say to you, “I believe abortion is wrong.” Now the divisiveness comes. Now the anger comes. I’m not talking about me standing on a street corner waving a sign or throwing animal blood on the window of an abortion clinic. I’m not talking about anything as demonstrative as that. I’m just talking about stating a personal belief and what I will teach my sons.
I state, “I’m pro life.” That’s when I’m suddenly bombarded with social media posts and dirty looks.
This is not a chapter on pro-life vs pro-choice. The Bible is clear on murder, and even science has a distinct list on what it calls “life.” I’m not going to debate something that’s clear in my mind because that’s not the function of this book. The function of this book is to clarify things that might not be obvious to the new Christian or one who is seeking to understand Christianity.
A much more difficult question comes from this singular example. Should we judge or not?
How many times have you heard or even said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1)?
Just a bit further down, we’re asked, “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 7:3)
That seems pretty clear so far. From this we know to make sure to look at ourselves closely and work on our own righteousness or sanctification.
The problem (the biggest problem when one wants to quote one part of the Bible without reading the whole) is that people only stop at those verses. Paul wrote much about judgement. “Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!” (1 Corinthians 6:3).
Looking around that verse, we learn that he is speaking on a few things. First, he is telling believers not to go to the court instead of the church (1 Corinthians 6:1). But once more, don’t stop there. Look at Paul’s justification. “Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?” (1 Corinthians 6:2)
Paul’s justification for judging cases between brothers is that the saints (Christians) are indeed to judge the entire world.
And then come those who buck at the inspired word of God. “That’s Paul talking, not Christ.” Doctrinally, we know that Paul was the human means by which God spoke to us. His words, sent to him by God.
So let’s go to Christ to see if we can find him speaking more about Judgement. “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement” (John 7:24). The context of this verse is that Jesus had just finished teaching and healing on the Sabbath.
As to appearances and right judgment, how does one judge? Let’s go back to Matthew for some clarification. “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” (Matthew 7:5).
How will we judge who is speaking falsely or not? Jesus was nice enough to give us that measurement too. “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:16-17).
If you put all of this context together, you get a clearer picture on what we are supposed to do. I’ve broken it down in my mind into three key parts.
1: Judge yourself first. Most of what Christ spoke about and against when speaking about judgement wasn’t about the act of judgement in and of itself. It was against hypocritical judgement. There is indeed a righteous type of judging (John 7:24) and a wrong sort, the censorious, self-righteous sort of judgements. So we can’t even begin to judge if we are not first aware of our motives. Judge yourself, and be sure you are defending God’s word, and not your own desires. Judge yourself and be sure you are glorifying God and his law rather than your self.
2: To judge yourself, look at the fruit you bear. Be sure you are living a Christian life, bearing fruit for Christ. It’s easy to recognize a hypocrite from a true believer. Just look at their life. No one is perfect, which people love to spout when speaking about righteousness and Christianity, but do they strive to be better, or do they live happily in their sin (1 John 3:6)? That verse I think, helps tie the above verses together in a beautiful way. Whatever you’re going to judge, if it’s something you yourself do, shut your mouth. Let that self-righteous fury go, and humbly turn to Christ to seek forgiveness for yourself. If you want mercy and forgiveness for your sins, repent; turn away and lay down that sinful nature and pick up the cross. Then you might just lovingly pull that other along side yourself and help him see that repentance and freedom from that sin (and all sin) is possible through Christ.
When you see someone self-righteously and aggressively acting out, understand that’s not the manner in which we are to judge. This doesn’t mean a Christian can’t make Christian decisions. A business might lawfully decide what clients it wants to serve or not. I’m not sure what the whole nation allows, but I know for a fact that the state of Arizona, where I grew up, has a perfectly legal right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. Now, you as an individual may feel that law is wrong, but then you’re problem should start with the law, and not the person obeying or invoking it. I’d caution you though. Before you speak out against the laws you disagree with so much, remember that it is the law itself that grants you the right to speak out (the First Amendment).
A Christian is also completely fine making Christian decisions and stating Christian opinions. When one speaks calmly (countenance) and gently (meekness), he’s acting in perfect accordance to both our country’s laws and the word of God (so long as what he’s saying is indeed in accordance with the word of God). A man can’t be right if he’s speaking wrong in a righteous manner any more than a man can be right speaking right in an unrighteous matter. This is the crux of the entire chapter, and it leads to my third key part of judgement.
3) If you are doing all you can to be righteous (seeking Christ likeness) and bearing the good fruit that can only be born of a life dedicated to Christ, then, you may judge, and judge rightly. You have the discernment and discipline one needs to be the judge we are meant to be.
Why then do we judge? Well, first we judge to ensure we’re living as we should (again it begins with you). Then we judge not to elevate ourselves or shame others, but to offer salvation. But we can’t appreciate salvation if we’re unclear just how in need of it we are. I’ve said several times that Romans is a beautiful book. It’s so comforting. But (again as I’ve said several times) the first three chapters are very convicting. I find the comfort in my salvation because Paul does a marvelous job explaining just how lost we are without it.
But rather than judge to persecute, why not rather judge to offer salvation? Why not judge to determine who needs Christian fellowship or who needs evangelism? What if we used our judgement to determine not who should be punished, but instead who most needs to hear the gospel?
What would this world be like if we sought not to elevate ourselves, but instead to glorify God by identifying sin and seeking to eliminate sin? What would this world be like if we worked to purge sin from our midst instead of punish sin? For the punishment (wrath) belongs to God (Romans 12:19-21, quoted from Deuteronomy 32:35).
That wrath was coming to all Christians, and it is coming for any unrepentant sinner. It really doesn’t matter what the sin is. I’ve had people tell me one type of sinner goes to Hell or another type of sinner goes to Hell. Nope! Unrepentant sinners, sinners who don’t accept Christ as their savior, go to Hell. This is a truth, not a threat. If that statement makes you feel defensive, I’d simply, and calmly ask that you look at your life to identify what you’re doing that makes you feel threatened. If you’re repentant, if Christ is your savior and you’re working to grow in your sanctification, which is evident in the fruit you bear, then you truly have nothing to worry about. If you feel threatened because what you want is the sin you covet, then what do you want me to do? I’ve told you what the Bible says. You can have your sin if you want it. Both God and I will let you have it (Romans 1:24). Why then be shocked at the price? Just acknowledge that you’re not worried about it and go on about your way.
However, if that fear is strong, if you’re so defensive as to feel you need to retaliate against me, please realize that I’m not the enemy you need to fight. Neither is Christ. Fight instead the temptation. Fight instead the sin. Fight by praying to Christ for forgiveness and then put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).
If you feel no fear or worry, then why would my words bother you at all? For those of you who read this and feel anger or fear at these words, consider why they make you feel that way. If you are living the most Christian life you can, striving to be like Christ in all things and being thankful for his sacrifice when (as we all do) you fall short, live joyful in the knowledge that you are safe with him. If you who read this feel anger or fear at these words, consider why they make you feel that way. If you reject Christ and all he stands for, or if you reject Christ and his existence, then why not do as you wish? Like I said, I’m not stopping you. I don’t have that power.
For our panel: When we judge or speak out against sin, how can we be sure we’re doing so in a righteous way? How do we balance our call to judge rightly against the fact that it is to God that vengeance belongs? How do we ensure we’re doing all we can to remove the plank from our own eye? What verses do you recommend to those who are seeking to be wise in judgement?
