Condemning Others

John 3:17-21 My daughter sends me a text message. She asks for a list of scriptures on premarital sex and shacking. She also wants me to make some comments on the subject. She states that people condemn premarital sex and shacking, but they give no scriptural references to support their condemnation. I text her with this message: “Call me and I will go over the use of the Blue Letter Bible. You can look up a word, a scripture. If you do KJV with Strong’s Concordance it will give you the word in the original language and its definition(s). After thinking about it for a while I emailed her my take on her concerns. Let me say from the outset that this article is not about premarital sex and shacking. Rather, I want to address the issue of condemning other people and behaviors; and especially without giving scriptural references. Here is my initial response to her concerns. “You make an interesting and very true statement about people not knowing scripture about the subject matter while at the same time condemning people for their actions. This is true on a great many of subjects. I always say that rules and laws are made because they point out the error of people’s ways. Although the law as stated in its listed form may not tell you why the law was passed, we can research the law and learn why it was passed; the harm people were causing themselves by committing actions that violate the law and the benefits for obeying the law. Thus, laws of God in the bible are not just a bunch of arbitrary rules written by men for a period of time to be done away with in a different time. The laws of God are eternal (for all times) and immutable (cannot be changed). These laws are eternal and immutable because God is eternal and immutable. God does not change His mind. His word is from everlasting to everlasting. This is important to know if we are to understand why God forbids premarital sex and shacking up. I think that when people think that it’s just about rules and laws and they are not equipped to obey them, we can expect that they will not be obeyed. I am personally guilty of breaking God’s laws because of ignorance and not being properly equipped. Under these circumstances people do what they think is best for themselves at the (present) time. However, the scripture says, ‘There is a way that seems right to man, but the ends thereof is death’ (Proverbs ??).” (The correct reference is Proverbs 16:25). Since this article is about condemning, I suppose the real question is whether or not we are justified in condemning people and their behaviors that we disapprove of? What scripture references support the position that we take? In this article I take the position that a Christian should not condemn others and their behaviors. Instead, I believe that the scriptures tell us to speak the truth in love in order that one can grow up in Christ (Eph. 3:15). The following scripture passages are used to support this position. The first scripture says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, NASB). Now this is a very familiar and important scripture. It establishes the fact that in God’s eyes all people are on equal ground. All have sinned. No one has the right to judge someone else. Jesus teaches us that we are not qualified to judge others. He said, “‘Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye”’ (Matt. 7:3-5, NASB). Our own personal sins prevent us from being qualified to condemn others. A second question is, “Do I have a need to condemn others? I say, absolutely no. The church is very familiar with John 3:16. It says, ‘“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (NASB). Have you ever read the next two verses? ‘“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (condemn, KJV) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged (condemned); he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (vv. 17-18, NASB). How does my condemnation help anyone? Does my condemnation lead anyone to a saving relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ? Even if I can persuade someone to change their behavior will it save them from their sins? Will they have a relationship with Jesus? The apostle Paul helps us to understand these questions. He writes, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets” (Rom. 3:21, NASB). The Law and the Prophets all testify that the righteousness of the Law is not sufficient to save us. Rather people are saved from their sins by believing in Jesus. Paul also writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1, NASB). So, people must first believe in Jesus. The ones that believe in Jesus have a right relationship with God. Those who believe in Jesus are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them to change their behaviors. This is necessary because without the Spirit we live according to the flesh. When we live in the Spirit we have the fruit of the Spirit that empowers us to live according to the teaching of Jesus (see Gal. 5:14-26). This space will not allow us to address the many scripture passages that tell us to love one another, to edify one another, and to encourage one another. The final scripture reference against condemning others is found in Jesus’ parting instructions to His disciples. He says to them, ‘“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; an lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20, NASB). Condemning someone never help us to make disciples for Jesus. Condemning people alienates people making it virtually impossible to teach them the ways of God. Now follows are my final words to my daughter. “So, since all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) no one has room to condemn anyone for their sins. Rather, we who are believers and disciples of Christ are to do two things that Jesus command His disciples. First, we are to tell people that Jesus died for their sins. I think that we put too much emphasis on God’s love at the expense of not telling people that Jesus is the Christ who died on the cross for sin for those who believe (Mark 16:15-16). Second, we are to make disciples of those who accept Jesus as Savior. They are to be taught everything that Jesus has taught. Jesus becomes the believer’s Lord (Matt. 28:18-20). At no time does Jesus tell His disciples to condemn people. We do not have to condemn people because people either believe or they do not believe in Jesus. Those who (really) believe are saved and Jesus says that these are given to Him by the Father and nothing can pluck them out of His hands (John 6:44; 10:27-29). No sin is greater than another in the eyes of God even though different sins can have lesser or greater effects on society. However, Christians are not called to change society. I know this might sound strange. Christians are called to tell people about Jesus and Jesus will change people. Society will change when people change. We have no need to condemn people. Jesus says, “Those who believe in Him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the only Son of God.” Let us pray to find ways to help people grow in their faith in Jesus.