RBYT: Part 2

Hello friends,

Hope all of you are having a good, productive week. I have had a busy schedule between college classes and the unpredictable life. I had the opportunity recently in my art class to discuss church with a classmate who is the daughter of a local pastor. There was a recurring theme in our experiences with the local churches: judgment. Criticism from people outside our families on our appearances or actions outside of church is always a fun way to bond with your classmates. What this really shows is how common judgment is in the church.

The church advertises itself as a place of love. This judgement is what I see push many people away from the church. Which makes sense, none of us like to be judged so why would you constantly put yourself somewhere where you feel constantly ridiculed. When judgement is brought up, many people take to the Matthew chapter 7 verse “Do not judge or you too will be judged.” (7:1, NIV). I do my best to try to not judge people. I do not know what is happening in their lives and truthfully it's not my business. I am one of those people who will pull the Matthew 7 verse out when I hear people make comments against me or others. However, something that is often thrown back to me is in 1 Corinthians, when Paul says “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 person from among you.” (5:12-13, NIV). However, I do not think people using this verse to justify their judgement remember the context of this verse.

In this letter, Paul is referring to a man who is sleeping with his father’s wife. There is a big difference in judging someone who is wearing a short skirt versus someone who is sleeping with their father’s wife. Thinking of the verse in this context gives us the real meaning of it. The church correcting members on their actual mistakes is valid, however it should be approached from a place of love and a genuine desire for the person to be better. Even if we are outside the church, correcting others in this manner is a smart and healthy way to approach these situations. In all things, approach it from a place of love.

                                                                                         Until next time,

                                                                                                         Rune Michael