Hey bros & sis in Christ! I wanted to shed some light on something - TopicsExpress

Hey bros & sis in Christ! I wanted to shed some light on something for everyones benefit. Matthew 7 is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. Many people use it to say that we shouldnt judge others. What its actually saying is not to judge based on appearance but to judge righteously. Normally the first part is ripped out of context. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Then it goes on to say.... “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. So, first take the plank out of your eye so youre not a hypocrite then judge righteously to point others on the right path. The Bible is actually telling us to judge. Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you go & tell him is faults John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge righteous judgment. 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual person judges all things... 1 Corinthians 5:12 Judges those inside the church 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is breathed out by God & is profitable for rebuke & correction. They literally keep going. Certainly doesnt make us very popular when we do it but then again Jesus wasnt very popular when he gave the sermon on the mount. He spoke truth & many hated him for it. As will many Christians be hated for his names sake. The goal isnt to be a jerk. Its to lovingly point people to Christ. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.