How do you treat non-believers?

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

We as mere mortals do not have all the facts. We do not know why a person is like they are. Only God knows that. That's why we must show love and not judge in anyway those around us. There are only two reasons we should judge another person. For our own safety, and to see it they are teaching God’s word correctly.

The apostle Paul states,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13

You cannot win a soul for Christ if you judge them. Our Job is not to judge them it’s to love them.

The late evangelist Billy Graham once wisely said,

"It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love," 

                                   Billy Graham.

How do you treat non-believers?

Please think about it.

It's not our job

 It’s not our job.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

We as mere mortals do not have all the facts. We do not know why a person is like they are. Only God knows that. That's why we must show love and not judge in anyway those around us.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                        Billy Graham.

If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus you cannot afford to judge those outside the church. Because in doing so you will push people away from God.

Please think about it.

On Judgement

On Judgement

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

Another American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                         Billy Graham.

Do you love those around you the way Jesus loves, unconditionally?

Please think about it.

Forgotten Scriptures

  Forgotten scripture

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

      For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

I think this is the most forgotten text in the Bible Here in North America. We as believers in Christ Jesus must remember we cannot judge anyone except those within the church. And even then we must only judge those within the church to see that they are preaching sound doctrine. The apostle Paul stating,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Sadly Christians do not do much expelling. They don’t stand up to men and women who are preaching wrong doctrine. 

The apostle Peter wrote,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."2Peter2:1-3.

What Peter is saying here is happening in the church today and men and women of God need to stand up to them.

They need to stand up to them because they are bringing the word of God into disrepute.

Please think about it.

Judge those inside

 Judge those inside

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus we are Christ’s ambassadors. An ambassador is one who represents a country in a foreign land. People in that foreign land see the country he or she represents through the words and deeds of the ambassador.

The same is true when it comes to Christians. People look to Christians to correctly represent Christ. Sadly way too many calling themselves Christians are not, or at least their words actions are not correctly representing Christ.

While I know that Christians are told to look to Christ and not a particular evangelist or preacher. Those who are not Christians do not know this. They see someone who claims to be Christian acting badly and say to themselves they want no part of Christianity.

North America and particularly the United States is full of men and women, evangelist and pastors claiming to be Christians that are not. 

These men and women are bringing Christ’s name into disrepute. And God will one day judge them. In the mean time it is up to those who love Christ to speak out against false teachers in our midst. We must remember the words of the apostle Paul who said,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Please think about it.

Gods job not ours

  Gods job not ours

The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.

God knows us intimately. This quote from psalms in modern terminology is essentially saying God knows the very DNA make up of our being. He knows why we are the way we are. This is why God and God alone is the only one who can judge another person.

Jesus made it clear to all who believes,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

While we must be careful as to who we trust at time for our own safety. We have no right to judge where someone will spend eternity. That is Gods job. NOT ours.

Please think about it.

We Must Remember

 We must Remember

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.

Tony Campolo the American Evangelist said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

Campolo is right. It is not our place to judge others especially non-Christians. The apostle Paul wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

Living in North America I see that Christians here are quick to point out the evils of the world around them but slow to expel the wicked in their midst. This should not be so. This kind of behaviour turns non-Christians away from Christ.

We as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to present the word of God in the purest form possible. It is therefore I believe incumbent on us to remove from our midst those claiming to be Christians that are not teaching the true gospel message.

At the same time we must be careful not to judge the people around us, especially non-Christians. Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                    Billy Graham.

We must remember the words of Jesus who said,

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16.

  Please think about 

Can

Can
John’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and Martha.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
The other day I was asked if I believe a gay man can get to heaven. I answered with the words of the American evangelist Toni Campolo who said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”Tony Campolo
Jesus speaking about himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Romans 10: 9,10.
The psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16
Only God knows why we are the way we are. No one can truly tell what is in the heart and mind of another person. No one knows an individual as well as God does. Thus we have no right to Judge other people when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
Jesus told his disciple and through them us,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
He did not tell those who believe in him to judge people with respect to where they will spend eternity. He told them to go out and show the world how they can spend eternity in heaven.
Please think about it.

Judgement without Mercy

Judgement without Mercy
James the half brother of Jesus states,
Remember the words of James the half brother of Jesus who said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 

 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

 Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

                                            James 2:12,13.

We as believers in Christ must remember the above words of James. Particularly “Mercy triumphs over Judgement.”
That being said if you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus we should heed the words of Jesus who said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
I believe there is only two reason a Christian has for judging anyone.
One is for their own safety. We need to know when to get away from a potential dangerous situation.
The Second is to judge whether or not those claiming to be Christians are teaching correct doctrine. As Paul states, “God will judge those outside the church.” And we as believers in Christ Jesus are to “expel the wicked” from among us.
We especially have no right to judge a person as to where they will spend eternity. If we feel a person is not saved. We have a duty to present the salvation message of Christ to them. Not judge them.
After all we, as believers in Christ Jesus. Knowing what we know about salvation would want someone to tell us about the salvation Christ Jesus has to offer. And Jesus tells Christians,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                       Matthew 7:12.

Which to my way of thinking is the most important verse in the Bible for a believer in Christ Jesus.
Read that verse again,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                       Matthew 7:12.

Thus the question become if you are a believer in Christ Jesus, just two word,

Are you?

Are you showing Mercy rather than Judgement?

Are you doing to others as you would have others do to you?

Please think about it.

Woe

Woe
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.  But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:5,6
Here is a warning from Jesus we need to be careful how we treat people and what we teach.
A friend of my daughter in law has a child about eight. She is visibly disabled.
The child grew up in church and heard much about a specific preacher. She wanted her mother to take her to this man to be healed.
They got there and were told to sit a the back. During the alter call, a call for those in need of a healing touch, the child asked her mother to take her forward.
To the horror of the mother they were intercepted on their way down to the front and asked to go to their seat.
It totally devastated the child, and the two went away disillusioned.
The mother also noticed at the time that there were no people at the front with visible or extreme disabilities.
Here is an example of how someone can cause someone’s faith to be questioned. To cause someone to sin.
Fortunately as I understand it the little girls faith rebounded because it was in Jesus not in the preacher.
Not all such encounters have such a happy ending.
The warning Jesus give in this passage is not only a warning about making children sin, but about making all people sin. Turning people from the saving grace of Christ.
Back in the nineties a high profile televangelist said God was going to kill all the homosexuals in North America within a few years. What garbage! And how wrong he was.
The LGBT community has more rights today that ever before in North America.
     Not only that each individual in the LGBT community is as important to God as anyone else in this world. God cares about everyone.
Rather than make such outlandish predictions that evangelist should have been sitting down with members of the LGBT community an presenting the Love of God to them.
Were that man to make such a prediction in old Testament times and found to be wrong he’d have been stoned to death.
Now I am not a gay man, but I cringe when I hear the gay community coming under attack by preachers and individuals who claim to be Christians as if they have some ‘special sin’.
Those who call themselves Christians and are attacking the LGBT community or any community be it Islam, Hindu’s Buddhist or any other group are guilty of making them stumble.
They are guilty of disobeying Jesus who said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2
The people who are being attacked see the attack especially if it’s on their faith or lifestyle as a personal attack. Thus it gets their guard up and shuts down all dialogue.
The apostle Paul make it clear what we in the church must do when he writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
Tony Campolo and American evangelist wrote,
“Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God.”  Tony Campolo
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love,”

                      Billy Graham

Jesus gave the Church it’s prime directive when he said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus did not tell his followers to judge anyone. Quite the contrary when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Prior to the Matthew’s gospel quotes Jesus as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44
This is what Christians are called to do. For Christians not to do it has the potential for eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

In 2018 this means

In 2018 this means
Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, said,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                                     Matthew 7:12.

Put this way in the year 2018 this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

Put it this way in the year 2018 this means,

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

Put it this way in the year 2018 this means,

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

Put it this way in the year 2018 this means,

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

And you might not like their faith.

Put it this way in the Year 2018 this means,

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

Jesus when asked,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: 

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’ 

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: 

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

                                                                                               Matthew 22:36-40.
So do you Love others unconditionally?
        Please think about it.

What Business is it of mine

What business is it of mine
The apostle Paul wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 

                                           1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, 

you will be judged, 

and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you.” 

                                              Matthew 7:1,2.

A believer in Christ Jesus has no right to Judge, especially those outside the body of believers.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have the right to judge those inside the church but only to determine if what they are teaching is correct.
We cannot judge whether a person is going to heaven or not. That is God’s job.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and 

my job to love, 

                             Billy Graham.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember one key thing Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Put it this way. If you don’t want people judging you don’t judge them.
Jesus gave his followers a job to do he said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot do this job effectively if we are judging people in any way shape or form.
The job of the Christian is to love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. We must do this because it is the only way to win souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

Do not Judge

Do Not Judge
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Jesus here is speaking to believers but it is something everyone needs to think about. Jesus is not saying we should refrain from judging things entirely. There are times when we need to judge whether or not a thing is good or bad for us. Whether someone talking to us is being truthful and such.
What Jesus is saying, it’s easy to find fault with people. There seems to be no end of people who will show you every fault someone else has. This should not be so. Especially if you claim to be a Christian.
The apostle Paul warns Christians,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Christians have the right to judge those within their faith especially with respect to what an individual claiming to be Christian is teaching. Such judgement is needed to ensure the teaching is correct.
However Christians have no right to judge those outside their faith especially when it comes to where a person will spend eternity.
The warning of Jesus in Matthew 7:1,2, is not to have a “judgmental spirit”. To constantly be criticizing others.
Jesus warns us,
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2.
By criticizing others you are giving them the right to criticize you in the same way. Jesus summed this up when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
So to judge others is to essentially tell others they can judge you in the same way you judged them.
On the other hand if you want to be treated well, to be treated fairly and honestly you must do the same to others.
I believe  the words of Jesus I quoted, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
The so called “golden rule” is something everyone, Christian and non-Christians can understand. Something if followed it is a rule that makes everyone’s life better.
Please think about it.

Save Sinners

Save Sinners
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1Timothy 1:15,16.
Here is a simple truth for Christians reading this to think about.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”.
The Apostle Paul also wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                        1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
My Question to the Christians reading this is are you doing your best to save sinners by your words and deeds. Or. Are you judging those outside the church and pushing them away from the one person who can save their soul Jesus Christ?
Please think about it.

To Christians

To Christians

“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
                                                                                                                The Talmud.
I know the Talmud is not a Christian book of faith. It is not considered by Christians as an inspired word of God. But the message the above quote gives is applicable to Christians.
All to often Christians give up on people. They as Abraham did drive them from their door. From their sphere of influence.
They do it a lot of time my judging people. Two classic examples are abortionist and the gay community.
I’ve seen people calling themselves Christians protesting at abortion clinics with signs saying “abortionist will burn in hell”. I’ve see the same kind of thing when it comes to people in the gay community.
Jesus and the disciples never protested against Rome or any other group.
People calling themselves Christians are especially hard on the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered) community.
They call on governments to, in extreme cases jail homosexuals. As has sadly happened in some African countries.
Here in North America those calling themselves Christians, seek to prevent a secular government who tries to help all people irrespective of who they are, from granting Gay’s the right to marry. All simply because they disagree with them.
This in my opinion is wrong. You may not agree with someone’s lifestyle but as a Christian you have no right to Judge.
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                    Matthew 7:1,2.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                                1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Sadly there are many out there claiming to be Christians who are not obeying the words of Jesus and Paul.
When was the last time you heard of Christians expelling the wicked from among them? Standing up to false teachers?
Only God knows the hart of men. That’s why we are under God not allowed to judge people especially those outside the church.
The Psalmist wrote,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 
                                                                                   Psalm 139:13-16.
The way I see it. What the Psalmist is saying is, God knows our very make up. He knows why we are the way we are. He knows our genetic make up, saying
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
That is why he and not we can judge people.
James the brother of Christ issues Christians a warning, saying,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
                  James 2:8-13.
As Christians we are not to judge another human being. For in doing so we are driving those who need the Love of God, the Love of Christ away from that love.
God has placed a great weight on the Christian. It is our job to reach the world for Christ. To keep our own house in order, and not judge a soul outside the church.
Please think about it. 

judging

judging

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  
How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  
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 7:1-5
Christians here are told not to judge others. We are not to judge especially hypocritically.
This is not the same as discernment.
I’ve heard people say well you shouldn’t judge what the priest, minister or evangelist says because it’s judging. Not so.
The apostle Paul writes,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                              1 Corinthians 5:12,13
There is nothing wrong with questioning the teachings of anyone ministering the word of God, be they a Sunday School or Bible study teacher, a pastor, evangelist or whoever is ministering God’s word.
This is discernment.
When we question what we are being taught this is a good thing it helps us get to the truth of the matter. Especially if what is being said sounds suspicious.
An honest teacher of the Bible will not object to being questioned about his or her teaching.
What Jesus is telling us here is not to judge other people be they Christians or non-Christians for what they are or what they do. Especially since we may be doing or have done similar things before we were prompted by the God to change our ways.
We cannot tell what is in someone’s heart.
All Christians grow in the Lord at different rates and it is up to the Holy Spirit to convict someone of any wrong they are doing.
When it comes to non-Christians this is especially true. Judging them may very well turn them away from God.
The Talmud tells a story about Abraham it goes like this,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  
That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?
                                                                                                              The Talmud 
Judging someone especially outside of the church is dangerous. What Jesus says is true,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
People around us are aware of what we do and say. They are aware of our short comings If we judge them they are going to judge us in the same way.
It is not the Christians place to judge sin. That is God’s no one else’s. Only he knows the heart and mind of anyone.
The job of the Christian, the only Job of the Christian is to present the Gospel to anyone who will listen and let God do the rest.
Think about it.

Jesus for all

Jesus for All

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                               Matthew 11:28-30.
I believe that every one needs to come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Sadly I think way to many people calling themselves Christians both in the media and out are turning people away from Christ.
I see this particularly in North America pastors and evangelist using their so called freedom of speech to jump all over and condemn those they disagree with.
Many point to homosexuals and bash them as if they have some special sin. They protest outside of abortion clinics and heap condemnation on those who work there and those who go into them. This should not be so.
Jesus who is the Son of God and has the right to judge, never once said to the secular authorities of Rome that they were sinners.
Paul standing before the learned men of Athens in a city filled with pagan Gods and practising things that would have been very abhorrent to him never pointed to what the Athenians were doing and calling them a bunch of sinners.
If he did the wouldn’t have listened to him.
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                           1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
It is not our business to judge those outside the church. It is our job as Christians to win souls for Christ.
In order to do that we need to be reaching out to the world with the Love of Christ. This is not to say we must give up our moral values.
Paul when speaking to the Athenians never gave up his beliefs. Paul simply presented the love of Christ to non-believing Athenians.
What he said should be an example to us as to how we witness to people. This is what he said,
“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.  
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
                                                                                             Acts 17:16-32 (NIV) 
Paul won some to Christ. And others even wanted to hear more. This is how it should be for Christians.
If you disagree with someone’s lifestyle that is your choice in a free and democratic society.
If you disagree with Abortion the place to protest is not in front of an abortion clinic it’s in front of the houses of parliament or congress that pass the laws.
We should be showing the love of God to those whom we disagree with. We need to be reaching out to those of any lifestyle irrespective of who they are, and truly showing God’s love.
We should not be judging anyone or putting something in their way that would turn them from God.
I believe the words of Paul to the Corinthians when he wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                   1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Think about it.

Perhaps, Just Perhaps

Perhaps Just Perhaps we Need to ask God’s forgiveness
          Perhaps, just perhaps, we need to ask God’s forgiveness.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                      Matthew 28:18-20.
Matthew 28:18-20 known as the Great Commission. These words encapsulate what we as Christians are called to do. But are we always doing it correctly? Are we usurping our authority?
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                    Matthew 7:1,2.
Do you Judge others?
The command from Jesus himself is not to judge others.
There is a time to judge others but only others within the church, within our own faith, the apostle Paul writing,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                           1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The reason we can only judge those within our own faith is because we share a common set of moral values.
Even when we judge others within the church we should be very careful and only judge them by rules set down in the Bible.
When we are dealing with those outside the church we are called not to judge but rather love and pray for them. Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”  
            Matthew 5:43-46.
We may not like what our persecutors or our enemies are doing to us but we are still called to love and pray for them.
Pray first of all that our persecutors and enemies will accept Christ into their heart. For only He can truly change their lives.
Pray even that our enemies and persecutors at the very least, leave us in peace.
Jesus said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” 
                   Matthew 10:16.
The way I read Matthew 10:16 is that we are to being sent into a very hostile world. Therefore we must be very aware of the world around us and use wisdom in all we do. Above all however be completely innocent in all our actions.
Read Matthew 7:1,2 again,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                    Matthew 7:1,2.
I have watched many preachers and Christian groups both in and outside of the media judge those outside the church.
The other day I heard a well known Televangelist preaching against something. I agreed with what he said. He was completely right.
The problem was the group he aimed his comments at were outside the church. He judged them when it wasn’t his place to do so. They didn’t believe in the Bible or that they had to follow what it said.
He was an honest Christian who went about witnessing all wrong.
If you want an example of how to truly witness to non-believers look at how the apostle Paul witnessed in Athens, Act 17:17-34.
Athens was undoubtedly equal to any major city in the world today. It was a city of culture and vast diversity.
Athens had a myriad of temples to various gods. There would have been many things happening, many practices within Athenian society that Paul would not have agreed with. Yet he didn’t criticize them.
He was invited to speak by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, not Christians, or Jews, to a meeting of the Areopagus , a place where ideas and philosophies were discussed.
It was the way Paul had presented the gospel in Athens itself they wanted to know about his teaching. Thus the invite.
This is how it should be today. We should be preaching the Gospel of Christ in such a way as to make people want to listen to us.
We need to use wisdom in how we speak especially when we are speaking in the media be it a humble blog,  from the pulpit of a large church, or anything in between.
Our job is to reach the lost not judge the world.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
                                                           Tony Campolo
We as Christians need to humble ourselves and pray. We need to ask God if we are witnessing for Him in the best possible way.
We need to ask him if we are judging others more than loving and praying for others.
We need to ask God to show us how the secular world sees us and ask Him how to better reach that secular world.
Think about it.