...They received the word with eagerness, examining the
Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17: 11
Are you someone who searches the Bible to see if it truly says what people say it does? The potential for getting something wrong or for the message to be twisted is always a possibility. God wants us to think, to meditate on his Word, to reason and understand. Even in the context of our own church. And yes, contrary to popular belief, we are also to judge. That goes against the grain of the mantra in our culture which says "God is love, don't judge." Verses are pulled out of context and truth is compromised. It seems that if people know but one verse in the Bible, they can quote Jesus and say "Judge not, lest you be judged."
To judge is to form an opinion or conclusion about someone or something. Could it really be possible to not have an opinion about anything or come to any conclusions as we compare what we see around us to the Word of God? To say we should never judge is really saying that we should not stand for truth and reject falsehood. How can we discern between good and evil if are so concerned that we should not point out error? It is not unloving to tell someone that they are wrong based on the authority of God's Word.
...so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro
by the waves of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness
in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth
in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who
is the head, into Christ... Ephesians 4:14-15
What would it be like for a parent who is too afraid to lovingly show their child from God's Word that what they are doing is wrong? How could we teach them at all? How would we train them to think righteously and live honorably if they were to say "God is love mom, who are you to judge me?" How could I possibly parent my children if I live by this philosophy? It's really just another way of saying "I'm going to live how I want and no one has the right to tell me I'm wrong." People like to apply this when it suits them. What about when someone wrongs them personally? It's quite a different thing then.
Jesus does give us some instructions about judging. If you read the verse I mentioned above in its context you will see that it is wrong to say that no one should ever judge the actions of another, but before we judge there is something we must do first...
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement
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." Matthew 7:1-5
We shouldn't be pointing out issues in others if we are unwilling to deal with our own. The hypocrite says "do what I say not what I do." A hypocrite imposes standards on others that they are unwilling to live by. To judge is to determine that something is in fact wrong, these judgements must be based on the revealed Word of God. Is it really loving someone to let them continue in their sin in the name of tolerance and acceptance? I am so glad that the people in my life didn't just say "We love you just the way you are" and leave it at that. Better to live with this mindset... "God loves you with an infinite love, so much so that he gave his Son to endure the penalty of your sins and die a shameful death in your place. Live in obedience to the Savior of your soul. We love you too much to let you go down the wrong path."
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12
A speck is definitely something that doesn't belong in the eye, it should not be overlooked. It is something that should be removed. Have you ever had a tiny little speck in your eye and you can't seem to get it out? It drives you nuts! It doesn't belong in there! In the same way there are things that do not belong in the life of a Christian. We should be confessing and turning from sin daily as it is exposed in the light of God's Word. We should have hearts full of compassion toward others who are going the wrong way and are not following our Shepherd. A heart full of compassion is compelled to point others to the right path as the truth is spoken in love.
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:5-6
[re-posted from the archives of my former blog // dated 8.27.2011]
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