Excuse Me! Are You Judging Me?

Many professing CHRISTians and SINners alike, have the false impression that CHRISTians are not supposed to judge others (rebuke and correct) who are committing SIN. Many of the "ain'ts" when caught in the act of some baser proclivity, will blurt out the all famous partially quoted line "judge not". So, exactly what did JESUS say about judging, rebuking and correcting others who are committing sin?

In Matthew chapter 7, verse 1 through 5, JESUS begins by saying "Judge not that ye be not judged." Now, if you stop reading at verse one and simply close your Bible here, it would seem apparent that JESUS clearly commanded his followers (CHRISTians) not to judge others. But and if, you continue reading this whole passage it may reveal more to you about what JESUS said about judging others. In verse 2, JESUS is saying: with the same standard of judgment that you use to judge others, this same standard will be used to judge you. Verse 2, stated differently, says that with the same system of measurement that you use to measure others by, you will also be measured by as well. Now, answer this question. What standard of judgment do you want to be judged by? Your answer may still be that you only want to be judged by GOD (JESUS). Excuse me! Are You Judging Me?

In verse 3, JESUS said why would you examine the small wooden object that is in your brothers eye, but you are not considering the larger wooden object that is in your own eye. In essence, JESUS is saying: why would a person be concerned with others sin, when that same person is not concerned with their own greater issue of sin. JESUS continues in verse 4, by saying how could you say to your brother, let me pull the small wooden object out of your eye and at the same time you still have a larger wooden object in your own eye. This again is a very clear illustration. JESUS is teaching his disciples how difficult it is for you to correct someone else who is in SIN, when you haven't corrected your own SIN. Excuse Me! Are You Judging Me?

JESUS then, in verse 5, calls a person who judges others who are in SIN, a hypocrite, if the person who is judging is also in SIN. Please read carefully, because no where in this passage does JESUS say that he (GOD) is the only one who can judge, rebuke or correct others in SIN. Instead, JESUS said to first remove the larger wooden object out of your own eye, so that you can then have the ability to see clearly to remove the smaller wooden object out of your brother's eye. For example, if you know someone who uses an occasional profane word here and there but you use profane words like you're speaking a second language, then you would be a hypocrite to rebuke and correct someone else who occasionally uses profane words. Without an confusion, JESUS is saying, in order for you to judge that person who uses profanity every now and then, you must first clean up the foul, wicked and nasty language that you let spew out of your own mouth and then you will be in the right position to correct others who commit the same SINful acts. This whole principle of having the right and authority from GOD to judge others is illustrative evidence why CHRISTians are required to live a SIN free and perfect life (I John 3:6-10; Luke 6:40; Matthew 5:48). Even the children of the world have this wisdom. For example, if there was a judge in a court of law who sentenced those who committed the crime of statutory rape to prison but the same judge is involved with child pornography then that judge would be considered to be a hypocrite and if exposed for his crimes, he would be removed from his position as a judge and imprisoned himself. Even more so, the scripture in I Corinthians chapter 5, verse 2, says that the saints (CHRISTians) shall judge the world and if CHRISTians are going to judge this world, then we as saints should be worthy to judge the smallest matters. In verse 3, it states that CHRISTians would also judge angels, therefore, "How much more things that pertain to this life?" Excuse Me! Are You Judging Me?

In the book of Jude, verses 14 and 15, the scripture says that the Lord shall come with ten thousands of his saints (CHRISTians) to execute judgment upon all. Verse 15 becomes more explicit about judging by stating: "to convince all that are ungodly among them of all of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, d of all their hard speeches which ungodly SINners have spoken against him (GOD)." Now the word "saint" in the Greek text is the word "hagios" which translates to mean "holy". CHRISTians, who the scripture refers to as the saints are by divine nature supposed to be holy, if those who claim to be CHRISTian are not holy, then in reality they are not saints. This is the premier reason why those who claim to be CHRISTians/ saints/ holy, do not believe that they are to judge those who commit SIN, because the person who is claiming to be a CHRISTian is really not living a holy life. It is therefore impossible for a Saint to be the same as a SINner because the Saints who are holy will execute judgment on the SINners who are ungodly (unholy). This all confirms that if profess to be a CHRISTian, you are required by GOD to live SIN free and be "perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect", so that you can be in the position to judge those who are in SIN. Excuse Me! Are You Judging Me?

If you are really interested in knowing what the holy scripture says further on this matter you will diligently search them because the holy scripture is replete with numerous examples of GOD's people (Saints) judging the ungodly (SINners). From the Law and the Prophets: Leviticus 19:15-18; Ezekiel 3:17-21; to the Psalms and Proverbs: Psalm 149:6-9; Proverb 27:5-6; and in the Gospels: Luke 3:19; John 20:23; and throughout the New Testament: Acts 13:9-11; Titus 1:10-16. GOD's people, who are Saints (CHRISTians) are ordained by GOD to judge those who SIN. Amen.

The 21st Century apostle,
Orlando Bethel