I have heard so much criticism of born again believers, minsters and ministries in the last few years, and the GREAT majority of that criticism has come from other believers! THAT ought NOT be so! Jesus said, in John 13:35, that the world will know us (His body, the church) by our LOVE! That is, love for each other FIRST, then love for the world! When I have mentioned this to people, including ministers of the Gospel, by reminding them that we are told NOT to judge, I have been ridiculed, laughed at and told that I am the problem! Let's look at what Jesus said! Matthew 7:1-5
1 DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3 Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye. AMP
We have a very clear directive from our Master and Commander to walk in love with each other and to NOT judge people! Further on in Matthew 7 we see this in verses 15-16:
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. 16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
We are NOT told her to pass judgement on these people, but to RECOGNIZE them! Why? So that we won't be taken in by false teaching that is contrary to the Word of God! Criticizing other believers is addressed specifically by Paul in his letter to the Galatians in verses 14-15:
14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
So, let's let GOD be the Judge of others and let US be the carriers of His love, forgiveness, mercy, grace and faith! AMEN! Our prayer for those whom WE believe are in the wrong WILL, most certainly, bring about change! Change in them, IF they are wrong, or change in US, because it just MIGHT be that WE are wrong! Mercy will seem like a very good thing if THAT is the case! AMEN? AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Real Love":
Shalom in Him!
