Judging Others?

Romans 2: 1-3

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

In this culture of relativism, and no moral absolutes, it seems so easy to come down on people with “I’m better than you” mentality and point fingers so easily. Just check out the magazines when you are paying at the grocery store. One time people are being praised for their good things, the next day they are on tabloids being trampled down like total failures.

Yet, as Christians, we too often fall into this practice of letting others down as if we are at the pinnacle of holiness looking down on those who were trapped in unfortunate circumstances, or on brothers who fell down because of trials or even in sin. In our passage, Paul is reminding Jewish believers who were coming down on the Gentiles drowned in sin (chapter 1), not to be so self-righteous. For in doing so, they were assuming to themselves God’s duty of judging people unto condemnation. They have misunderstood why God is not punishing the Gentile sinners right on, because God is totally good, forbearing, and longsuffering! The goodness of God will lead people into repentance (verse 4). If God had waited for 120 years in the time of Noah before opening the “dams” of heaven to flood the earth, then God can wait even more to give chance for sinners to repent. For He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather for them to come to repentance (Ezekiel 19:23).

“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45). Yes, God is totally just and righteous when He judges, and when that time comes – no one can complain “unfair”! For God judges “according to truth” (verse 2). When the Lord replays the tape of our life, then we will be dumbfounded and speechless.

Now, we dare not judge others into “condemnation” for we too are often guilty of such things (verse 1). We were commanded to love others – that includes rebuking, correcting, and restoring others - and not to judge them to condemnation, but to help bring them to repentance in Christ.