Justification To Judge and Condemn

Do not judge or condemn others because you never know what’s going on in their lives. Counting other people’s sin doesn't make you a saint either. “He that is without sin, let him first cast a stone” (John 8:7).

Text: John 8:1-11; 1 John 3:18-24

Don't judge and condemn

The Lord Jesus Christ came to the world not to judge and condemn anyone but to save mankind (John 3:16-17). He came that we may have abundant life and be totally free from sin and death. Jesus truly is love and mercy personified, and there is no greater love than what He did for us on that old rugged Cross at Calvary.

The life of Christ and being like Him is the essence of Christianity. His character, conducts, attitude and behaviours are what heaven-bound pilgrims should emulate everyday of their lives. The story of John chapter 8 teaches mercy, forgiveness and what God expects from every one of us in action and deed toward others.

A woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Her accusers had wanted to stone her to death and brought her before Jesus to tempt Him and hear His verdict on her case. It is typical of humans to be quick in judgment and cast aspersions on someone for no just reason. “Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know them but the Lord? (Jeremiah 17:9-10). However, it takes only a saved and sanctified heart to act differently as to love and forgive.

God’s hatred for adultery is undoubtedly very clear (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:18; Jeremiah 5:7, 7:9, 23:14; Matthew 19:18, 5:27-28). You may want to say who wouldn't be tempted to condemn and ridicule a woman caught in such a despicable act as adultery? The people of the world could and sadly to say, that some Christians could be found wanting in this regard as well. But Christ teaches us here what we ought to do and how best we should react to the shortcoming of others, whether an unbeliever or a backslidden brethren.

We must always be willing and ready to show mercy and forgive others for their shortcomings and weaknesses. We all err even as God continues to lead us towards perfection by His grace (Matthew 5:48). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). We all, at one point in time, have done terrible things that we are not proud of but imagine if we had been condemned and made to face instant judgment from God for all we have done, who would have survived it?

Don't judge

Psalm 130:3 says, “If the Lord should mark all our iniquities, who shall stand?” “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” which is you and I. He commandeth His love towards us and sent His only Son to ransom us, even when we were yet sinners (Romans 5:6-12) like the adulterous woman in the book of John. He showed us love, compassion and mercy and wants us to show same to others.

There is no room to brag about being a Christian. In fact, it’s a privilege being one in the first place as the only thing that differentiates anyone in Christ from an unbeliever in the world is “grace”. Nothing but God’s grace!

We were dead in trespasses and sins; fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy…quickened us together with Christ and saved us by grace through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:1-9).

For this reason should we not become haughty to the point we start thinking we are holier than others just because we are Christians. Jesus has given us an example to follow, that we should follow His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21). If He couldn't condemn the adulterous woman in John 8:11, why should we condemn someone who steals, the prostitutes at night, ignorant rapists, drunkards, among others? Instead, we should share our testimonies of faith with them, pray for and with them, and share with them the love of God through His word; encouraging them to surrender to the Saviour and be saved.

The world is in dire need of genuine and practical Christianity. It is not enough to have increased number of churches mounted in every street and thousands of church goers with the Word in their heads and not in their hearts. The world craves after practical faith, pragmatic beliefs, unwavering convictions and unquestionable evidence of salvation (the newness of life in Christ).

Now is the time to stop playing church and start being the Church that Christ prepares to meet at His coming – a perfect church unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13); a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Let’s not be like the Scribes and Pharisees who seek justification to judge and condemn others. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measure to you again… (Matthew 7:1-5).

Don't condemn others

“This I say therefore, brethren, that ye henceforth walk and live not as unbelievers in the vanity of their minds, having their understanding darkened and alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts…for ye have not so learned Christ…

“If so be that ye have heard Him and have been taught by Christ through His word, put off the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness, love and true holiness…” (Ephesians 4:17-31).

The only justification there is, is to love and not to judge. And since we are the ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), let’s act like it in word, deed and truth (1 John 3:18) that the name of the Lord may be glorified through us and among us.

*** Written by Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

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