To Christians Who Judge: Have You Met Jesus?
To those Christians who talk about other people’s choices behind their backs with fierce judgment…
To those Christians who claim their self righteousness with a prideful manner that sprays and stings and separates you from ‘them’…
To those Christians who build barriers and walls to those seeking faith…
To those Christians who force their opinions on others with such disdain and detachment, that they leave a trail of bitter resentment behind them for all to taste…
To those Christians who force God’s Truth on another while clearly omitting His Grace and His Love…
To those Christians who reject those who don’t know Jesus…
To those Christians who shout out in rage over the sins of others, and yet neglect their own…
To those Christians who condemn and punish and exclude other Christians who struggle with their choices…
To those Christians who present Christianity with a scowl full of judgment on fragile precious souls…
To those Christians who don’t respect and honor the heart and soul of another…
For those Christians who project their limited preconceptions on the life of others…
Have you met Jesus?
I wonder sometimes if you have.
Let me introduce you to Jesus…
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
Do Not Judge Others
37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.[a]”
39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 40 Students[b] are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[c] when you have a log in your own? 42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend,[d] let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
The Tree and Its Fruit
43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Who is without sin?
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.[a] 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
5 “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.[b] 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’[c]
8 “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.[d] 9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.[e]
Love the lost.
11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[a]”
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[b] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Perhaps you need to get to know Him better. There are times when I question if you know Him at all.
And may I suggest you ask yourselves these questions?
Are you a Pharisee or a Disciple?
Do people see Christ in you?
Do you see Christ in you?
For I believe nothing breaks His Heart more…
When his beloved children
Shadow His Light on the lost.
AMEN, soul sister, AMEN!!!
I love you- I love your FAITH. I love you. XOXOXO
PERFECTLY said my friend!!!! My God, it saddens me that we as “so called” Christians are breaking His heart, because we refuse(because of our self-righteous ways) to LOVE like He loves! Pharisees indeed! My husband has a saying…”the worst thing about being deceived, is that you don’t even know it”. Sadly to say…my brothers and sisters are truly deceived. Lord, open their eyes!
AMEN to that Michell!!! It breaks my heart when I see so many precious souls lost and wandering and rejected by the very ones who are receiving God’s Grace. the hypocrisy is killing me. And I can only imagine God’s heart breaking…
Chris, you said this beautifully and quite perfectly. Thank you for that and sending you good thoughts on this Wednesday now!
It absolutely KILLS me to know and see so many precious souls who are turned AWAY from God because of – BECAUSE of God’s ‘people’. I can’t hear another story or comment that says “That’s why I’m not a Christian”.
The hypocrisy sickens me.
One of my issues with organized religion is the judgement. I think the minions have a way to getting together and deciding what is right and what is wrong and in the interim, they forget to love like Jesus did. I love what Michell says about being deceived. And for the record, my dear,I love Jesus. Is he my savior? No, But I also understand what he gave this world and how many millions he inspires every day.
that’s the beauty of being a true follower of Christ- all he taught is so morally beautiful and sound, that there can’t be any judgment in that! It’s such a shame that people who claim to follow Him don’t – follow Him.
They use Him. The ideology. The Law. And that is the OPPOSITE of what He stands for.
I love that you love Jesus! I know you exemplify Him more than many ‘beloved followers’. XOXO
So much to say and probably won’t remember all of it so I might have to email you.
First, WOW! I freaking love this post! I absolutely love my church but twice I have gotten up and left because of some of these points you made.
Second, do you have any idea how inspiring this is?? Every single one of us has sinned, has things that have happened that are hard to forgive, and have enemies (or something like that). To read these words gives me strength to be a better Christian.
Third, this makes me want to be in a bible study that you lead because I read these words and feel love. I feel the need to read more. To go out and do more. I want to please Him. I want to feel Jesus helping me to be a better person, to be the person he wants me to be.
It makes me want people to see Christ in me by both my words and my actions.
Chris, you have a gift. You really do.
Oh AnnMarie- how you BLESS ME SOOOOO MUCH with your words and your precious response to this post.
It is SUCH a huge hypocrisy and it sickens me to think of all the lives that haven’t been blessed by His Name, because of those that claim to follow Him and taint the Grace that He pours FREELY.
I love you so much. I wish oh how I wish we could do bible studies together!! Can you make it to group today? You have about two hours to get here!! XOXOXOXO 😉
I had to read it over a few times before I could finally comment! Wow. Amen to that. Thank you for the wonderful reminder and the inspiration as well.
You’re really something!
Thanks SO much for taking it ALL in Tamara… I just love that you really truly read my words. It’s alot. But there is truly nothing that makes me more sad and angry, than to see Christians giving Christ a bad name.
The hypocrisy kills me.
Yowch! This is an amazing post.
Must…try…harder.
And even though the writing here, the awesome Bible references, Jesus and YOU are all amazing…have a line
___________________________________________
We ALL must try harder… but ya know what? It isn’t for us. This post is directed at the people who claim to follow our beloved Savior and in turn- taint the very Grace that was poured out to them.
Grr. They can judge and poop all over the place, just DON’T do it in the name of Christ!!
You say that…quite a lot of it IS for me…the hypocrisy, the neglecting to give proper respect, the judgement, the meanness…
All of those things.
Not done in God’s name, ofc, but neglectfully (alright, sometimes wilfully) and just because I’m not working at it properly.
I’ve been trying a lot harder to be a more accepting and open person. I would usually not link back to one of my own posts but a while ago I shared a post that makes me wish I’d read this one first- http://anothercleanslate.com/2013/07/29/struggling-with-faith-and-family/
I just loved that you shared that post Kate!! It was exactly what I am talking about!! Your precious heart could be so angry- and yet it’s not.
You are so filled with Grace and you don’t even know it, do you?
It breaks my heart that your Aunt has fallen prey to the law and the empty grace that is NOT from Christ.
I am even more saddened at the thought of the broken-ness that is within her, that she has not given to God. How isolating her cold-hearted world must be.
If Emeril were here, he’d say BAM! If I were in your living room, I’d say “shoot yeah!” and if a full chorus gospel choir were here, they’d say, “AAMMMMMMEEEENNN!” 🙂
Fantastic!
I believe your comment and your post that is linked to it is priceless….
“Banned from church” pretty much says it all.
God has HUGE plans for you. I just know it. XO
Amazing post, Chris. And I love the comments as well. You are truly an inspiration. Part of the reason I say I’m not that religious (on the exterior anyway) is that I haven’t found the church I truly feel like I belong to. Why does the judgment exist? It drives me nuts. Yet my beliefs do run strong. I pray. I believe. I feel like I should read this post every day! Thank you, my friend.
I didn’t go to church for TWENTY YEARS Jennifer!! TWENTY YEARS because of this….
I just don’t understand, nor do I accept the hypocrisy. I love that your faith is still strong…
I pray you find true followers of CHRIST to share and nourish your faith and your family. They are OUT THERE. It breaks my heart that we have to dig to find a fellowship full of His unending Grace. But we are all fallen people. Ugh.
Great post, Chris! His unconditional love is our gift from Him – how can we not do the same?
AMEN DIANA!!! Amen my friend. So perfectly put. 🙂
XO
Yep, that’s my Jesus! And, yep, that’s my Chrissy talkin’ about Him : ). So beautifully put! Such compelling words of Jesus you shared! Thank you! Praying for you.
I thank God everyday that we have our fellowship and a church that loves the unlovable. Just as Jesus would do…
XOXOXO
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for writing this. More of this message needs to be put out there.
I absolutely agree Jennifer. An awful truth- but I want this to reach many..
It saddens me and honestly infuriates me, to see so many souls suffer without the love and grace of God because someone who claimed to be a Christian shamed them, rejected them, excluded them- for one reason or another.
I totally agree Jennifer!! I actually pray that this hits home to many Christians hearts….
I want to reach many.
I have been circling around these same thoughts. I completely agree with you. However, as much as I would love to say that I have never been the kind of person to whom you are referring, if I am being honest with myself, I tend to judge others in areas that I am currently working on in myself (due to my own insecurities!). That might be in secular skill sets, like the fact that I can now “kinda” cook after years of burning Jello (oh yes, you CAN burn Jello!) or, sadly, sometimes in “religious” ways (notice that I did not say “Jesus” ways…I am sure you get the distinction!). Work in progress here! But there are limits. Banning a sinner from church would soon, if we are being honest, leave the church empty!
Right now, I am seeing lots of discussion, for example, about Halloween. For a great read on this, check out this website (it’s not mine or even someone I know…but a great read for why Christians should leave the lights on at the house!): http://troublefacemom.com/2012/10/31/on-halloween/
Thanks for being so spot on!
So true Rebecca! I am hardest on others in the areas I struggle with myself!
I love your response to this piece Beckster. (!) It is genuine and authentic and TRUE for every one of us.
I was JUST talking about this topic in my women’s group today. I’m still left with the question of “which sins are admissible” in church and which sins are not?”
If churches ban people from their church for living in sin, Which sin is acceptable? The ones we don’t ‘see’? I just don’t understand. And are we not called to love the UN-LOVABLE?
Hmm…
Yes- ALL of us need to ask ourselves these questions and take a good long look at our own reflection and make sure it aligns with Christ’s. Not an easy task for anyone, me …ME included.
But did you noticed I didn’t fight fire with fire… I fought fire with Truth. His Truth. In the end, THAT is what wins.
So we can all learn and grow from Christ and continue to try to emulate Him, in our actions, our thoughts, our voice, our choices etc.
Here’s my beef. Don’t hinder someone else from coming to Christ. Period. Unfortunately, too many Christians have neglected the Grace in their faith, that is supposed to be poured out on others.
To me, it is the foundation of Christianity.
Okay- I’ll shut up now. LOL 😉
LOVE you. 🙂
YES!!!! I deal with a very very very bad case of this in my life. Someday after you are healed and feeling better we will have to chat, and maybe you can help me with this one. I’m so desperate at finding peace with this. I have prayed and prayed for this anger to leave my heart, but it lingers.
Okay- girlfriend! I may not be completely healed, but I am READY to chat!!
I hate that you have had to endure this type of plight in Christianity. THIS is what makes me so upset.
I would venture to guess, but I won’t publicly. So message me or email me, if or when you are interested in talking about this.
I do hope and pray you can somehow clear your precious heart of the anger. I have been there my friend.
Amen Chrissy…all of us need reminded from time to time of “who are we to judge”….your post is both humbling and inspiring:) Love you!
AW!! YOU …my friend are such a love… you are a Light- His Light. Always.
I am so grateful for you. XOXO
Missing you.
Amen, and I want you to know that really was a beautiful thing to write today. Please know I will be praying and thinking of you all day today. I know all will be good.
Have I told you how grateful I am that you have been in this with me, Jen? Well I may have- but it needs to be repeated.
What a blessing to connect with you, and your encouragement has helped more than you know.
XOXO
Yes, yes, yes. Hypocrisy just makes me cringe. And when I catch myself doing it, it is even worse. All we can do, though, is to recognize where we fall down, ask forgiveness, and work to do better and be better people.
I am so grateful that my first church as an adult was so invitational and gracious and accepted everyone where they were. Truth be told, I was concerned I would be turned away because I wasn’t a practicing Christian in her Sunday best.
I didn’t go to church for TWENTY YEARS because of those exact same reasons, Kim!!!
I am also so so glad you found a lovely welcoming fellowship to call your church home- that THAT is how it should be… always.
Thanks SO much for stopping by Kim! You always bless me when you do. XOXO
Amazing post Chris. Interesting to me how many people I know who attend church every Sunday, but yet seem to lack a lot of the core values Jesus taught. Well said my friend!-Ashley
I know… I KNOW. I am amazed at the ‘religious’ people of our day…. they are truly a reflection of the pharisees. Some things never change. Very interesting indeed. Ashley.
wow…….
I know…. tough love. I have seen and heard too many stories of people being isolated, excluded and judged by the very people that are to love and pour grace from Christ onto others.
And ya know what? I spent YEARS alone and not in fellowship for this reason… I never felt good enough for Christians. No Christian ever EVER taught me about His Grace the way Jesus did/does.
Very sad indeed.
Wow such an amazing and inspirational post. I love how you verified everything with the word, the truth we are to live by…..people will reference this post often! I’m inspired to write down all those verses for myself! Thank you!
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read it, Candice!
It is so important- this message of Grace. And I pray it reaches many…
How are Christians to do God’s work if they can’t even love the unlovable?
Good grief.
Well… here I am, Chris! I can see from all of your lovely readers that this is a hot topic! And I’m so sorry for that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts over at my place regarding my own two cents worth on this. Many blessings, C
Colleen I have loved reading your latest posts on this topic! You have such a gift in writing for Him. Truly glad to have met you!!
Brilliantly written, as always! I was inspired to write a post on this topic, too. Mine isn’t nearly as brilliant as yours, but I was proud of it just the same!
Thanks so much Ange!! I want to read your post.. I’m sure it was amazing, as you are. Share the link, would you? 🙂
Absolutely–here you go! http://writermomblog.com/judge/