Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at 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,’ and behold, the log is 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 NASB]

Paul agrees with Jesus when he says, "Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things....Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" [Romans 2:1-4 NASB]

The Bible teaches us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," [Romans 3:23 NASB] If we judge sin in others, there will always be sin found in us.

When we are appalled by the sin that we see in the world, we need to think back and remember that at one time we, too, were lost in sin. You might say, "but I've only sinned in little things, his sin is huge!" Perhaps, but that doesn't matter. That person has sinned, you have sinned. If you are a true Christian, then you have received the forgiveness of God. Remember, He was kind to you while you were still a sinner, and drew in to Himself. He was tolerant with you when you sinned, and led you to repentance. It is only right that we show the same kindness and tolerance for the sinners in the world that God showed toward us.

I want to address judging within the church.

If a non-Christian is immoral, we should accept him. If a Christian is immoral, we have the obligation to judge him. Paul tells us, "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." [1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NASB]

Let's be clear. This does not give a Christian the right to be judgmental, even of other Christians. Paul tells us, "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." [Romans 14:4 NASB]

Here is the difference. As an individual, you have no right to judge another's behavior. But, if there is a Christian in the church who is living a sinful lifestyle, and is unrepentant, then the church body needs to come together to judge that person. Do you see the difference? You are not to judge a person in your heart. But the church can come together, like a jury, to dispense fair judgement.

The judgement in our heart is condemning. But the judgement of the church is for the purpose of leading a brother to repentance, then receiving him again, "Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him." [2 Corinthians 2:6-8 NASB]

Therefore, you are without excuse if you judge another. But the church, by upholding righteousness and supporting one another, can come together to "see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."