“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
Of the many topics the apostle Paul covers in the book of Romans, the most often quoted is sure to be on the subject of judging. While 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, and woe to those believers who disagree with the positions espoused by unbelievers. One only has to read the news to see that virtually every week there are at least one or two articles covering an incident of violence towards those with conservative biblical views.
Unfortunately, I believe 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. 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 and does the “judging”.
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 for those who desire to live a righteous life. While we as believers are being singled out for hate because of our beliefs, we must resist the temptation to act against those who persecute. 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.
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth for the sole purpose of sacrificing Himself so we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven. I believe the persecution many believers are experiencing right now is one of the signs of His imminent return, as we witness the attacks by Satan increasing. If you have never taken the step of accepting this gift of eternal life, I urge you to do it right now. Simply pray a prayer like this one and confess to God your need for salvation, and accept the gift He provided for you by the death and resurrection of His own Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus I know I am a sinner. I have sinned against you, but I know you loved me enough to send your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins and then rise from the dead so that I may live forever with You. Lord forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to begin to live for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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