People, especially non-Christians, like to point to Matthew 7:1 and tell us not to judge. They usually use this to excuse all sorts of sin and evil. But if you look at the next verse you realize this is a misapplication of scripture. Jesus is not telling us to ignore sin but to realize we will be judged by the same standard we choose to judge and is a warning against hypocrisy.

We can all recognize the sin of a double standard, but there is also another warning that is often overlooked. How many times do we judge and condemn others for their lack of theological purity? Don’t get me wrong there are some heresies that must be fought, such as the “word of faith” that claims we humans are as divine as God and cause things to happen by saying it. By this, it is claimed we can have prosperity and stop aging by just calling out to have these things. Or those who deny the nature of Christ. These are not Biblical, Christ centered beliefs and must be called out and condemned.

What I’m talking about is the tendency to look on a brother as a pagan because his theology is not in lock step with ours. I’ve been condemned for not believing in the rapture and dispensationalism, and I’ve seen those who follow my beliefs do the same thing to those we disagree. We all come to our faith with our own traditions, history, and mindset that color our understanding of scripture, and thus our theology. We are all brothers in error, but we all receive the grace of God. Should we not all have grace with one another.

Remember what Jesus said in following verse after warning about judging. “By the measure you judge so shall you be judged.” If we deny a brother fellowship because of his imperfect theology, then God will withdraw fellowship from us because of our imperfect theology.

#Judging