Therefore
you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you
judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
But we know that the
judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. Romans2:1-2
NKJV
I
am sure we have all heard or been accused at one time or another of “judging”
someone else. It seems all too common
lately as our society has moved in the direction of requiring people to agree
with ideas whether we want to or not.
Unfortunately, the accusation of judging is a result of misunderstanding
the very definition and nature of the word.
I often use the analogy of being stopped by an officer of the law after
being observed to violate any of the many laws which govern our society.
Speaking only for myself, it’s usually for exceeding the speed limit. The officer is not “judging” me by pointing
out my violation, but rather telling me he observed me breaking the law. The truth is, it is the judge in the
courtroom who passes the sentence for my violation who does the “judging”.
The
truth is, judging someone else is an action.
It is choosing to punish, in one way or another, someone else who we
feel deserves it for their beliefs or actions.
In the body, it should go without saying that attempting to judge
another is usurping the responsibility of God the Father, who makes it very
clear in many different places in the Word that He alone will judge. It also should be clearly evident that none
of us has any right to judge another as we all have sinned and will continue to
do so until that time we are transformed from this body of sin and the sin
nature that comes with it. In fact,
there is a word Jesus used to describe those who judge, which most of us would
find patently offensive, and that is the word hypocrite.
I’m
sure most, if not all of us, would be very offended if someone were to call us
a hypocrite, yet that is what Jesus often called those Pharisees and religious
leaders who wanted to use their religion to judge others. In Romans chapter 2, Paul explains God’s
judgment, and shows us at least four of the mistakes hypocrites make when they
attempt to judge others.
They blame. Hypocrites choose to point the finger at
someone else without knowing the whole story.
It is making an accusation without knowledge of the whole story. The reason God reserves the right to judge is
He is the only one who knows the heart, and the motive behind the action. Hypocrites are quick to blame, and as a
result are most often wrong. In verse
two Paul tells us God’s judgment is “according to truth,” based on His
knowledge of all the facts, as opposed to our ignorance of them.
And do
you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing
the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:3
NKJV
They are brash. Hypocrites are self-righteous because they
underestimate God’s perfection and overestimate their own. They attempt to sit as a judge of others
without the realization they are standing in front of the real judge, God the
Father. As verse three tells us, those
who choose to do that will themselves be judged.
Or do
you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not
knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4
NKJV
They are bitter. Bitterness is a result of thinking God will
not fulfill His responsibility.
Hypocrites “despise” “God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering,”. Hypocrites want to see judgment occur
immediately, and fail to take into account the patience of God’s love for us as
sinners. What they perceive to be
leniency is simply God’s everlasting patience.
This, however, offends their desire to see action in the form of
punishment and their impatience causes them to become bitter.
But in
accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up
for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment
of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds” Romans 2:5
NKJV
They are blind. Hypocrites have no problem seeing other people’s
sin, but seem to have no idea of their own.
“Hardness” and “impenitent” can be described as
stubborn and unrepentant. The hard heart
will lead to deafness of God’s Word, and the lack of repentance shows blindness
to their own condition.
Let
love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly
affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to
one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in
prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to
hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice
with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind
toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the
humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for
good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you,
live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather
give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says
the Lord. Romans 12:9-19 NKJV
I
find it revealing that Paul ends his treatise on God’s judgment by telling us
as believers just how we are to live in relation to those who we might feel
have offended us. Having the desire to
see deserved judgment applied is a normal reaction to those who desire to live
a righteous life. Yet we must never let
that desire cause us to cross the lines of responsibility and try to take
matters into our own hands by punishing someone else for perceived offenses. It is God’s place to judge, and He reserves
that task for Himself. As Paul explains,
our response is to act in love towards those who offend with the knowledge
that, as sinners, we all have offended God and deserve punishment. Is it too much to ask of a believer that we
live as God commands and leave the judging to Him? Love conquers all.
Keep
Watching.
