"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." - Romans 2:1
"Therefore" means "in light of what we've just said." So, we need to remember what we've just looked at in the end of Romans 1.
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." - Romans 1:28-32
So, here we see Paul calling out the Romans on their sin. They were busy keeping an eye on each other's holiness and, in that process, not keeping a close enough eye on their own! Jesus talked a lot about this same subject...
"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)
This whole ordeal really boils down to one simple thing... Spiritual maturity. It is the humble and loving Christian that is going to be able to bring peace and restoration to a situation. To paraphrase what we just read from Matthew 7... "Examine yourself, FIRST!"
Have you ever noticed how the faults that someone points out in another person are usually the same faults that we notice in the person doing all the pointing out? Did that make any sense at all??? You know what I mean, though, right? There are people who are so quick to point out the things that they see in others, but we notice the same things in them!
Okay, so first off... would it not be considered gossip if we were to discuss the faults of others with people not at all directly related to the issue? I think that's a big "Yes"... it would be gossip to talk about other people's faults and shortcomings, in their absence.
Secondly, according to what we've just read... What does that tell us about the condition of the gossip's heart? It would seem that, according to the Scriptures, the person who notices the faults of others should be just as quick, if not quicker, to examine themselves before they ever consider going to that person and pointing out the things that they notice.
So, what does a judgmental heart say about our inward condition? It says that we have the same problems as the one whom we see struggling! Not only that... but we condemn ourselves when we judge others with a higher standard than the one that we use to judge our own behavior! Consider this... no matter what "standard" you judge by, it will always fall short of perfect. God's standard is so much higher than man's standards could ever reach! With that being said... why would we ever even think of judging others while letting ourselves off of the hook? We're saved by GRACE alone! There is nothing that we have ever done to make ourselves worth the saving work which Christ has done in us! So, really, we're putting our own standards above the power of the cross when we judge our brothers and sisters in Christ.... That's a sobering thought!
Galatians 6:1 puts this concept into perspective, perfectly!
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"You who are spiritual..." again we come back to the idea of spiritual maturity being a primary necessity in dealing with others. We must be able to come to a brother or sister in love. There cannot be a judgmental tone to the way in which we address the issue, because that is pure hypocrisy according to Christ. It shows a lack of compassion and desire to see the other person restored.
"In a spirit of gentleness..." Again we see what we've just covered... that our goal must be their restoration. Anything short of seeking the other person's restoration shows a dangerous relation to a judgmental spirit, which again leads us back to hypocrisy. Do you see the vicious cycle which takes place when we do not treat others as if they are given the same amount of grace with which we ourselves would hope to be treated?
In conclusion... how much grace are you extending to your brothers and sisters in Christ? How much understanding do you treat their circumstances with? And how much of an emissary of Christ's love are you towards those who are struggling and in need of support? Being a "mercy-giver" is as important a ministry as any other... some are called to be comforters, but we are all called to love others with the same love which Christ showed us!
Grace and Peace!
Questions or Comments? E-mail me at afflquestions@yahoo.com .
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