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Whitehorse
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« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2003, 09:58:38 PM » |
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First of all, we have to learn what the Bible says when it says not to judge. Because there are many places in which we are called to make judgments. For example, let's take a look at Matthew 7, the chapter you are referring to. If you keep reading, Jesus tells us to make a judgment about false prophets. He says we will know them by what they do. So, what does He mean by judge? I'm including the whole section below.
7:1Judge not, that ye be not judged.
7:2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
7:3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
7:4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
7:5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
7:6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
7:7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
7:8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
7:9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give * him a stone?
7:10Or if he ask a fish, will he give * him a serpent?
7:11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
7:12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat *:
7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
7:15Beware * of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
7:16Ye shall know them by their fruits *. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
7:17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7:18A good tree cannot * bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
7:19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
7:20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
7:22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23And then will I profess unto them *, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Clearly He is not referring to making discernments, because we are also to implement church discipline when that is called for. That is scriptural also-there are several examples in the epsitles where church discipline is described, and prescribed. So it doesn't mean we do not notice sin or that we do not call a spade a spade. We have a measure in the ten commandments.
Jesus is also not calling us to tolerate sin. Because God commands us to turn others gently away from sin, and to restore when repentance is evident. Also, if we tolerate sin, it spreads through the church. If you read the first three chapters of Revelation.
It also does not mean that we should be silent about God or the truth or His commandments or the way of life, because that is doing His work and being His servants. He gave us what is called in Christianity, The Great Commission, which is to go out and make disciples of all men. [Matthew 28:10]
Also, we are commanded to make our light shine before men so they can glorify God in Heaven, even though the Holy Spirit also uses it to convict people. This is His job, not ours. Matthew 5:14-16.
So what then does He mean? He means we are not to regard ourselves more highly than we ought, but that we are to esteem others above ourselves. We're not to take the haughty attitude when we see others in sin, but know that if it weren't for God's grace in our lives, that would be us. It means we should be more concerned with cleaning our own hearts and getting right before God than condemning others. We are not to condemn true Christians, but are to gently help each other into the Kingdom by encouraging, edifying, correcting, rebuking, loving, supporting, and in essence, being our brother's keepers.
It's the attitude of the heart that Jesus is getting at. Can you see the difference?
Question: if you're intentions are benign, why would you choose maleficent as a screen name? Why would you want to represent yourself as being evil? If you're just looking to learn, we will discover this on our own, in time.
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