|
When Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you
will not be judged,” was He implying that we should regard
everyone’s viewpoint equally? Jesus wasn’t passively tolerant toward
people who were doing evil things and promoting evil values. He
often made judgments regarding their actions and confronted them.
When motivated by love, we won’t be
self-righteous and feel that we are better than others in the
sight of God. A loving heart is humble, knowing that before a holy
God all people are equal
Judging, as Jesus condemned it in these
verses, is unforgiving condemnation—a hypocritical, self-righteous,
vindictive spirit that continually seeks to uncover the faults of
others while overlooking one’s own sins.
Jesus’ warning against this kind of
judging emphasizes that any measure we use to judge other people
will be used against us. He said, “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured
back to you” . He made it clear
that self-righteous, unforgiving people will not be forgiven by God.
Their rigid, unforgiving hearts demonstrate that they aren’t the
children of God. Their refusal to forgive others demonstrates that
they have never experienced the purifying power of the Holy Spirit
in their own life.
Jesus’ words in this verse don’t require
us to be passive in the face of evil. They require us to confront it
in the spirit of compassion, humility, and love. To hate the sin but
love the sinner. Christians have largely failed to do this but Jesus
is always ready to receive a repentant sinner. Adapted from an article written by Dan Vander
Lugt
What does the Bible have to say about
adultery? There are few biblical
passages regarding these matters. John 8:1-11 records a
meeting between Jesus, Pharisees, and a woman who has been
caught committing adultery. The Law of Moses in Leviticus
20:10, and Deuteronomy 22:22 required
the execution by stoning of both the man and the woman in
order to purge the evil from Israel. Jesus on being asked
what to do with the woman said that the one who cast the first
stone should be without sin. Since no one is without sin, he was
effectively pardoning the woman and recommends that she be
allowed to live.
Deuteronomy
17:7: When a person is to be executed under Jewish law, the
first stones were to be thrown by the witnesses to the crime and a
trial leading to an execution had to have at least two witnesses.
There is no passage stating that executioners had to be without sin
and there is no passage which allows an adulterer to be forgiven.
However when Jesus said to the woman: "Neither do I condemn
thee: go, and sin no more", he recognized her
adultery as sin.
Regardless of
how we have failed in life there is always forgiveness in Jesus
Christ.
Back to top
What about divorce? Matthew 5:31
and Matthew 19:9 state that Jesus did not approve of
divorce, except in a case of sexual misconduct. Various versions of
the Bible have translated the misconduct as as adultery,
fornication, unchastity, unfaithfulness or marital unfaithfulness.
He deviated from Jewish law, which said that a man could freely
divorce his wife.
However, in
Mark 10:11-12 and Luke 16:18, Jesus is recorded as
having taken a different stance. He said that divorce is
unacceptable for any reason. However if we consider Jesus' other
statement regarding treating one's neighbor as one would wish to be
treated and not to be exploitive, dominating, manipulative,
controlling, violent, or abusive towards others it appears there
could be a reason to divorce in these
situations.
Back to top
What does the Bible say about
homosexuality? The Bible
indicates that all homosexual activity is sinful, irrespective of
the relationship between the two persons. There are no committed,
consensual homosexual relationships described in the Bible and it
refers to homosexual acts; it does not talk about sexual
orientation.
The term "eunach" that is used in this
verse is to be emasculated, not necessarily having their organs
removed but by having been born so, however Jesus does not
elaborate. It does seem to indicate that if one has this orientation
sex is prohibited.
"Some people are unable
to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has
done to their bodies. Others stay single for the sake of the kingdom
of heaven. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so." (Matthew 19:12)
If someone
realizes that their life has not lined up
with what is God's best for them it is never too late to ask Him for
forgiveness. He is always ready and willing to forgive and receive you
into His family.
Back to top
What about abortion?
The church believes that all abortions
are a form of murder, no matter what the situation or conditions
leading up to the pregnancy. Contrary to the historical record, the
church also teaches that its current position has remained unchanged
from the beginning of Christianity.
God is always ready and willing to hear
you when you cry out to Him for forgiveness.
Back to top
What about the role of women?
Many denominations have no problem with
women teaching and taking leadership in the church, however it is
still an issue with some.
Deborah led Israel, Phoebe was a
deaconess.Priscilla and Aquilla worked as a team and Paul always
referred to Priscilla first which was unusual, but it is felt that
she actually was the minister of the gospel not Aquilla, he was
there as a support. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Cultural bias has effected our churches.
By silencing women we are silencing the
Holy Spirit and the only time that a woman remain silent in the
church is if she has a problem with authority, but that proviso
should work for males also.
Back to top
|