Is It A Sin To Judge Others?

Jarrod Jacobs

            There are many today who say that we cannot “judge” another person, religiously. Those who say we cannot judge claim that to judge another is a violation of Matthew 7:1. In this passage, Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Yet, does this mean that Jesus condemned all judging? What is interesting to me is that judging seems to be accepted by people in other areas of life, just not in religion. Why is this? In my observation, I find that those who are opposed to “judging” in religion, are often the people who have been “cut to the heart” by the gospel and did not like it (Acts 2:37)! Let us learn the truth about judging. Does God prohibit man from making any kind of judgment? Let us study the Scriptures and see.

            Beginning in Matthew 7:1-6, a careful reading of this Scripture shows us that Christ did not condemn or prohibit all judging. Let us read this section together.

            “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

            When we read this Scripture, it is evident that Jesus was not condemning every form of judgment. Rather, He was condemning hypocritical judgment! He told the one with the log in his eye to remove it so he could see clearly enough to help his brother with the speck in his eye. Jesus did not say, as many people imply, that the one with the log in his eye should just worry about that problem and never approach his brother about his problem. Jesus was saying to get one’s life corrected first and then he can help (i.e., judge) others with their problems. To show that Christ was not forbidding every form of judgment, please read Matthew 7:6, and ask yourself how a person can tell a dog from a hog or the holy from the unholy without judging? Jesus said a tree is known by its fruit (Matt. 7:15-16). How can one tell grapes from figs, or thorns from thistles without judging? Jesus said in John 7:24, “… judge righteous judgment”. Was He contradicting Himself? Of course, not!

            Further, when we read of the preachers and teachers of the first century, we read where they made judgments often. John the Immerser called the Pharisees a “brood of vipers”. He also gave commands as to how they could prepare for the Messiah (Lk. 3:7-14). Peter judged the Jews when he told them that they had crucified the Son of God (Acts 2:23, 36).  Paul wrote that some had “erred/swerved from the truth” (II Tim. 2:17-18). Did these men disobey Matthew 7?

            The Bible says we are to “test the spirits” (I Jn. 4:1). This means put them to the test, or on trial!  Not only did John tell folks to do this, but he also made a judgment in saying that there were false teachers already at work! Was he in sin?

            Before someone protests by saying, “But, that was Jesus” or “That was the apostles and they are different”, let me remind you of I Corinthians 11:1 and I Peter 2:21-22. We must act as Christ and the apostles if we are to do what is right. Therefore, let us not twist Scripture. Christ condemned hypocritical judging. Let us “judge righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24)!!

The Truth Written In Three Languages

Jarrod Jacobs

            Four times in New Testament Scripture we read about the written statement that Pilate wrote and placed above Christ when He hung on the cross. (Matt. 27:37; Mk. 15:26; Lk. 23:38; Jn. 19:19). The statement over Him declared that it was “The King of the Jews” being crucified that day. While the chief priests protested this statement, demanding that Pilate instead write, “This man said, I am the King of the Jews”, Pilate stood firm saying, “What I have written, I have written” (Jn. 19:21-22).

            In studying this event, we see that the inscription was written in three languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. This is significant, for regardless of who might have been present that day in Jerusalem, those who looked upon Christ on the cross could have read the writing. Why was this statement written in those three languages so significant? Please consider the following:

• The Hebrew language was the language of revelation. God’s word had come to the world through the Hebrew people up to this time (Genesis-Malachi).
• The Greek language was the language of the philosophers and “great thinkers” of the day such as Plato and Aristotle.
• The Latin language was the language of government and power. This is the language that Caesar and Pilate, as well as others, spoke within the Roman government.

            Therefore, this writing posted above Christ on the cross was a world-wide announcement! When we with our mind’s eye look to the cross, we see a Suffering Savior who was pronounced as “King of the Jews” by the Roman governor Pilate, to the population of the entire world!

            In truth, we see that Pilate’s writing had a greater meaning than perhaps even he realized. What do we mean by this? Consider once more the statement written in the languages of revelation, philosophy, and power. Certainly, our Lord Jesus Christ is the embodiment of these things. For example, we see that Christ being the embodiment of the Word (Jn. 1:1) shows us that He is God’s revelation. In “times past” God spoke to men in various ways, but now speaks to us today through his Son (Heb. 1:1-2; Matt. 17:5).

            In addition to this, Christ is also able to discern the uttermost thoughts of men’s hearts (Jn. 2:24-25, 6:64). This makes Him greater than any philosopher on earth. His doctrine is the greatest philosophy ever revealed! Third, Jesus Christ is revealed as the lawgiver (Jas. 4:12; Gal. 6:2). He revealed “the perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25); that which will lead us to Heaven. No one before or since has been able to accomplish or give as much as Christ.

            Pilate may not have realized how true and far-reaching his writing was when he wrote it. Yet, the statement is still true! Today, we who are Christians had our sins forgiven when we accepted Christ’s terms of salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; etc.). At the same time, we who are His children are the recipients of God’s blessings (Eph. 1:3) when we listen to the revelation, apply His true philosophies, and obey His law (Eph. 3:4; Rev. 1:5, 22:14)! If we want to have salvation from sin and look forward to an eternal life in Heaven, then let us stop rejecting the Lord. Let us follow what the Lord says unconditionally, knowing that He is the One who possesses all authority “in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17). He is our king (Rev. 17:14, 19:16; I Tim. 6:15), and wants us in Heaven with Him.

Getting An Answer You Don’t Want

Jarrod Jacobs

            An old saying often repeated is: “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” In like manner, be careful when asking a question, you just might get an answer that you do not want! Is this not what happened when the rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what to do to inherit eternal life (Matt. 19:16)? Jesus answered him, but the man received an answer he did not want, and so he abandoned Jesus (Matt. 19:22).

            What about us? Do we sometimes get an answer from God’s word that we do not want? How do we react when we learn that a thing we have been doing (or would like to do) is not authorized of God in the Bible? Do we become defiant, saying, “I’m going to do it anyway”? Do we get mad, or sad? Do we say, “That doesn’t make sense to me”? Such responses do not change what God said. Getting mad, sad, protesting, or substituting our ideas for God’s does not change what has been written. Let us take a moment and examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5). How do we react to God when His answers are not what we want?

            For example, some do not like God’s answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” The Lord’s answer is to have faith in Christ, repent of sin, confess our faith in Christ, and be baptized (Heb. 11:6; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:10; I Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:22-38; etc.). Will you accept God’s answer to this important question, or will you turn away like the man in Matthew 19?

            Some ask, “What kind of music does God accept in worship?” God’s answer is vocal music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 13:15; Jas. 5:13; etc.). Yet, this is not the answer men give to us! Therefore, whose answer will we accept? God’s or man’s?

            Others ask, “Did Christ really establish one church?” The answer from Scripture is that Christ promised to establish a church (Matt. 16:18), and this church began on the Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:41, 47). Before Acts 2, the church was spoken of in promise, but after Acts 2, the church was spoken of as being in existence on earth. This church belongs to Him and not man (Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:28). This is the Lord’s answer. However, is this the answer we want, or the one we have been taught? When was your church established?

            Another common question asked is whether or not the kingdom is in existence. Jesus said the kingdom was “at hand” when He was on earth (Matt. 4:17). He promised some would not “taste of death” until they saw the “kingdom of God come with power” (Mk. 9:1). He equated the kingdom with the church in Matthew 16:19. Thus, the kingdom was brought into existence in Acts 2 when folks heard the gospel, believed, obeyed it and were saved (Acts 2:36-41). As further proof of the kingdom’s existence, the apostle Paul said folks who are saved are “transplanted” into this kingdom (Col. 1:13). The apostle John said he was in the kingdom (Rev. 1:9).

            These and many other questions are answered by God in the Bible. Therefore, what is the proper response when we get an answer from God’s word that we do not want? The answer is to be honest, and accept what the Lord says (Jer. 10:23; Col. 3:17). There are times when God’s answers do not make “sense” to us, but this does not give us license to change the answer (Rom. 3:4). Let us submit our will to God’s, and let us be ready to accept what He says always (I Pet. 4:11), knowing that God’s ways are best (Isa. 55:8-9; I Cor. 1:20-31).

                   “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” The apostle Paul declares the power of the gospel in his letter to the Romans. This is the power of God to save all men. Salvation is not reserved for a select, predestined few, but for all mankind. “To the Jew first and also to the Greek” tells us that all mankind has the opportunity to hear and obey if we will do it. Let us thank God that we have this blessing. We have the opportunity to be saved and can look forward to Heaven one day because of God and His love (Jn. 3:16). Let us not hide this message, nor be ashamed (II Tim. 1:8, 12), but speak out and live the gospel every day (I Pet. 4:11; Matt. 5:14-16). Much good will be accomplished, including saving ourselves and those who hear us (I Tim. 4:16)!

- Jarrod Jacobs

Calling On The Name Of The Lord

Jarrod Jacobs

I am sure that our readers have heard people say words to the effect, “If you are not a Christian, all you need to do is call upon the name of the Lord, and you can be saved.” Some will teach that in order to be saved, you must say, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner,” or similar things. Such teaching is a misapplication of what is said in Romans 10:13. There, the apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord? Let us read the context of Romans 10 and find out.

 “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:13-17).

Please notice that after the apostle Paul says we must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved, he asks a series of questions that point out what it means to call upon the name of the Lord. In order to call upon the name of the Lord, we must: 1) hear the gospel, 2) believe the gospel, and 3) obey the gospel! Therefore, calling upon the name of the Lord is a comprehensive thing, not simply saying the name, “Lord.” In Acts 2:21 we read the same phrase. Here, Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32. Peter shows that the events happening at this time on the day of Pentecost were a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (v. 16). At this time, he said, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

What did he mean? Were they commanded to simply say, “Lord”? No! They were told to “hear these words” (Acts 2:22). Peter then proves that Jesus truly is the Son of God (v. 23-35), and said, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). To “know for certain” is to believe. When the people asked what they needed to do to be forgiven of murdering the Son of God, Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins .... Then they that gladly received his word were baptized...” (Acts 2:38-41).

Therefore, when one calls upon the name of the Lord, he is simply obeying God’s plan of salvation to hear God’s word, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, repent and be baptized! Is this not simple? Of course, it is! Let this article be an encouragement to people to call upon the name of the Lord as the Bible directs before it is too late (II Pet. 3:9)!