How can Christians look at the world and not condemn it? How can we see everything around us and not judge it? These aren’t new questions since the issue of the church judging the world has been an issue since Paul wrote about it in Romans. 

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 2:1 (NIV)

I’ve often heard it said that Christians are hypocrites, and while I don’t deny this. I believe that anyone who professes to follow any sort of moral code will be found to be a hypocrite. However, as Christians, we can do better. In Romans 2:1, Paul refers to what he just wrote in Romans 1:18-32. In verses 29-32, Paul lists off some characteristics of these people:

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:29-32 (NIV)

What always strikes me with wonder is how we in the church can look at the world and condemn it when we came from the world. Indeed, we not only came from the world, but we still sin. Therefore, we are just as “bad” as the world. What does Paul say?

So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Romans 2:3 (NIV)

Even though we are told not to judge in verses like Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37, we still seem to be quick on throwing the first stone when we see sin in the world. Some people might get confused about verses like 1 Corinthians 6:2, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?” (NIV) Paul isn’t talking about judging the world now. Other potentially confusing verses can be found in the follow-ups to Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37, where we are told to remove the planks from our eyes before telling our brothers about theirs. However, these verses aren’t about judging the world. They are about the hypocrisy of telling another Believer that they’re sinning when we also have sin in our lives. 

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.

Matthew 7:5 (NIV)

These issues of sin are different than what we read in Matthew 18:15-20. These verses deal with sin in the church and are very specific in how we deal with that. First, if someone sins against us, we address the issue ourselves. Then, if the person doesn’t repent, we gather two or more people and confront the individual. If they still don’t repent, the church is involved. These types of actions go far to remove the chances of individual hypocrisy. 

As Christians, we are the light of the world. However, when people see us, we don’t want them to see a reflection of themselves. Instead, we want them to see the love of Christ in us. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away. 

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

Advertisement