Something’s Not Right

With permission from Clip Art Best

I have seen more quotes of Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37 on social media than any other verses. Not even John 3:16 gets as much use as these two verses. It is as if the entire Bible filters down to these two verses – for those who wish to continue doing what is labeled as “sin” in other verses. The appearance is that if they say it often enough, Christians will forget:

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:5-8 KJV)

Trust me, without God’s help, we would fall into that lake because of His judgment, not because we point out what God has deemed against His will.

Back in John’s third chapter, where a believer in God came to ask theological questions, we are given God’s plan of salvation. People sin – act against God’s will ; God sent an explanation of how to return to His will; some will ignore and continue to sin – to their own destruction.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:18-19 KJV)

We have set a very high bar for considering an act “evil.”

Adjective: profoundly immoral and malevolent
Noun: profound immorality, wickedness, and depravity, especially when regarded as a supernatural force

Do any of us think of ourselves as profoundly anything? Certainly not evil. right? Besides, we’re doing unto others what we like, aren’t we? I think that’s a thumbs down. But the judgment called for is God’s, not ours.

Discernment, the ability to tell the difference, does belong to the Christian and is exampled in Christ’s words to the church at Ephesus:

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (Revelation 2:2-3 KJV)

Isn’t that how we truly feel about sin? That we cannot bear lies as deeply as evil? But – how are we doing in patience? Do we labor in God’s work – without fainting?

Do not pass judgment, just as the scripture says. And, do as scripture says:

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV)

God does the judging, we do the loving – and the staying away from sin. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?