You know today in the United States of America it is not okay to confront someone that is doing wrong in the eyes of the church because we are called intolerant. Well I know that killing an abortion doctors, killing gays or even yelling things at them isn't okay. In the Bible it also says that we have rules and standards to live by.
I believe that we should "Hate the sin, but love the sinner." I agree with this, but the main problem with today's society is that any criticism is taken the wrong way. We aid this by letting every player on the team and giving everybody a trophy. We need to fail to learn lessons. My mother and father loves me,but when I do wrong they call me out on it, that's what love is: having accountability for others actions.
The most quoted verse on judging others is this: Matthew 7:1-5
1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Most of the people who quote this verse take it our of the context that it was in. Jesus was talking to the Pharisee's, who were hypocrites themselves. The Pharisee's would punish people for doing things that where against the law of church but then do the things that they would punish people for. What Jesus means to remove the Plank from the eye, is that in order for you to judge someone you have to be blameless yourself. Jesus wasn't talking about sinning in this context he was talking about the religious leaders.
The Bible does say that Christians should confront other Christians when they sin: Matthew 18:15-20
If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released inheaven. Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is inheaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."
According to the Bible, we should confront those who have sinned against us. Then if they don't listen bring two others to help you talk to this person. If that doesn't work then take if to the church, and then if he doesn't listen then, you must treat him as an outcast. One that isn't a Christian because if a person knows he is doing wrong and continues to do that then is he really, truly a person of Christ and God. My answer: probably not.
Now to refute the judging thing.....Personally I interpret the Bible as the truth. If the Bible says it's a sin, then well it's a sin. I believe that the Bible says that we can confront someone if it is truly a sin. If is something that is menial that doesn't effect you or me then we don't have room to talk. That is what Jesus was trying to tell the Pharisee's in Matthew 7. If someone you know is sinning and is a Christian then you need to confront them and show them of their wrong. I think that is what the Bible wants us to do. If we don't, then aren't we just enabling the sinner.
My personal belief is that it is the hardest to talk to a Lukewarm Christian on this subject. Mostly because they know it's wrong and they can throw Bible verses at you to refute your point. In Francis Chan's book Crazy Love he talks about the lukewarm and how they are 50/50 Christians. 50 on/ 50 off. They do what they want. They really don't love to the fullest. They are just their to get their "Get out of Hell free" Card. These people are hardest to deal with because they can be fooled by the devil so easily due to their lack of faith in the Lord.
I tend to call many of these people "Checking Account" Christians. The have Good Receipts and Bad Disbursements. They try to balance their heavenly checking account. They justify what they do bad by doing a good act. What's funny about that to me is that's how most people think you get to Heaven. Well they have a rude awakening coming to them sooner than later. They won't get to Heaven that way. Only by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and truly meaning what they say. Not just saying the words, but allowing the Holy Spirit come in and change their life for the better.
Romans 3:23 and John 3:16 are the two best verses for us to realize that, 1) God wants us to accept him into our life, 2) He wants us to have a personal relationship with him, 3) You must turn your life from what you were doing and repent, that's the only way you can truly be saved.
Tony Amos: Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
