Page 181 - Push Back

James 2:13
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Christians are repeatedly enjoined to demonstrate humility in their interactions with others. If we
recognize that “all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God,” and that “we all
stumble in many ways,” then we should manifest patience and mercy when we observe others
sinning. This does not imply that Christians should tolerate sinful behavior in others, nor make
peace with it. Rather, the Christian should always be mindful that when they stand before the
throne of judgment they will desire for God to demonstrate mercy to them. Therefore, they
should leave room for repentance, and restoration of fellowship, for their brothers and sisters
who stumble in sin.

Throughout the New Testament there are just as many admonitions instructing Christians to
exercise judgment, as there are cautions about judging others. It is the responsibility of believers
to consider the whole counsel of God that they might arrive at the mind of Christ on this matter. I
have for many years had a writing posted that seeks to obtain balance, and bring forth
understanding, from the many diverse Bible passages that speak about judging. I encourage those
who wish to discern this matter to study this writing.

The Issue of Judging
http://www.heart4god.ws/H4G%20Website_htm_files/The%20Issue%20of%20Judging.pdf

Both Christ and the apostle Paul make it clear that if a professing believer is engaged in immoral
behavior, those who are spiritual are to confront the sinner with the intent to restore them to the
path of life.

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a
spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.

The heart of this matter is well summarized in the commandment to “speak the truth in love”
(Ephesians 4:15). As Christians we cannot choose love over truth, nor choose truth over love.
The Bible NEVER sets truth and love in contradiction to one another. It is a deceit of Satan that
the world, and a growing number in the church, are acting as if truth and love are mutually
exclusive of one another. Truth and Love are both manifestations of Yahweh’s character. A
world that has truth, but no love, would be unbearably harsh. A world that has love, but no truth,
would devolve into chaos, corruption, and unrepentant degeneracy.

The greater trend among Christianity today is to embrace love while eschewing truth. This is
manifested in the “do not judge” mentality demonstrated by so many. Such believers are
essentially advocating the abandonment of truth. Those who would say that a Christian has no
right to judge men and women engaged in homosexual behavior, are denying the truth. Yahweh
has declared such behavior to be unnatural, immoral, and that those who do such things are
worthy of death (Romans 1:26-32).