Judge and Jury

How easy is it to judge? How many times have you watched the news, and a story depicts someone's actions? Have you judged their actions? I have. What about this? Someone you know tells you they are dating someone who is married. Do you judge them? A friend tells you they "got a deal" on an item because the person they bought it from had stolen it. Do you judge them? Jesus told us not to judge others, so how does that work morally? Jesus judged the morals of others, didn't He? So, what do we do?

Never Truer Words

Jesus warned us about making untampered judgments of others, which means we should not be making judgments without mercy. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gave us many Beatitudes that stress our love for others and help us live the way we should. Jesus gave us these comparisons in the Beatitudes so that we could practice them in our lives, cultivating a merciful, forgiving character. John Calvin wrote, "The design of Christ was to guard us against indulging excessive eagerness, or peevishness, or malignity, or even curiosity, in judging our neighbors." The words of Christ warn us of our outward behavior. Calvin also reminded us that we should not be blind to sin, stating, "It is not necessary for believers to be blind, and perceive nothing, but only that they should refrain from undue eagerness to judge."

We, as believers, should be slow to condemn and quick to forgive. Turning from judgment is not so easy. In my above examples, we should not be blind to each person's path. None of them affect us directly, so what are we called to do?

Confront with Love

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:2, "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." Paul calls us to confront sin; however, we must do so with patience and teaching. In other words, we don't judge without mercy and walk away from the person leaving them in sin. Paul also told us in Galatians 6:1-18, "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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load." Confronting sin in others is very difficult. Many of us are not comfortable doing so, and understandably so. When we talk to others about sin, it must always be with love. Testimony is crucial because we all sin, and relating God's work in our life attributing to our transformation can be helpful. But Jesus tells us we cannot judge or will be judged. We all need to help each other in our walk.

Strong as Iron

Believers help believers, iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV). We, as believers, are also called to spread the gospel and help others turn from sin. Testify with truth, confront with mercy, and love like Jesus. May the peace of God be with you!