Pursuant to my previous post, the issue of judging came up. Some of us cannot grasp the concept of our being Salt and Light. As Christians, we are also charged to stand up for righteousness. Now, if you don't make a judgement call, how do you stand up for what is right? Have some backbone, have the guts to call a spade a spade and if something's not right, speak out.
When the Bible says we are not to judge, this does not mean we do not have a backbone. It means we are not to find fault with someone to run them down. Again, our intent is of vital importance. The Bible commands that we point out fault in love, and to offer sincere help in correcting such fault. See the difference? If we do not point out fault in love, because this is "judging" you are wrong.
The next topic is about forgiveness. Forgiveness from God dictates change, it dictates confession and repentance. God doesn't hand out forgiveness like its free candy. You have to demonstrate sincerity about wanting to change. If you think that God simply forgives because His is to love, you are wrong. God also demands righteousness and holiness, and this is where Jesus fills that gap after you have tried your best and still fail. Do not think you can keep sinning and Jesus will simply forgive for this is totally inconsistent with the Bible.
Forgiveness between mortals is a different matter - the Lord's prayer instructs that we are to forgive others as we ask forgiveness from God. Now, for a mortal to forgive another mortal, the bible doesn't state that the trespasser must first confess and repent to the person he/she sinned against although this would be ideal. Elsewhere, the bible did state that if you have wronged someone, you should take initiative to make amends. But the forgiver is to forgive regardless of whether amends has been made. As Christians, we forgive or at least try to, regardless of whether that person who sinned against us has come to us with sincere confession and repentance. Why? Because, in a practical sense, by forgiving others we decrease the risk of being tied-up in anger. If any such anger overwhelms or affects our judgement, we as Christians are rendered ineffective and so we ask God to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us. But for a mortal to ask God for forgiveness, that mortal must confess and repent to God.
When the Bible says we are not to judge, this does not mean we do not have a backbone. It means we are not to find fault with someone to run them down. Again, our intent is of vital importance. The Bible commands that we point out fault in love, and to offer sincere help in correcting such fault. See the difference? If we do not point out fault in love, because this is "judging" you are wrong.
The next topic is about forgiveness. Forgiveness from God dictates change, it dictates confession and repentance. God doesn't hand out forgiveness like its free candy. You have to demonstrate sincerity about wanting to change. If you think that God simply forgives because His is to love, you are wrong. God also demands righteousness and holiness, and this is where Jesus fills that gap after you have tried your best and still fail. Do not think you can keep sinning and Jesus will simply forgive for this is totally inconsistent with the Bible.
Forgiveness between mortals is a different matter - the Lord's prayer instructs that we are to forgive others as we ask forgiveness from God. Now, for a mortal to forgive another mortal, the bible doesn't state that the trespasser must first confess and repent to the person he/she sinned against although this would be ideal. Elsewhere, the bible did state that if you have wronged someone, you should take initiative to make amends. But the forgiver is to forgive regardless of whether amends has been made. As Christians, we forgive or at least try to, regardless of whether that person who sinned against us has come to us with sincere confession and repentance. Why? Because, in a practical sense, by forgiving others we decrease the risk of being tied-up in anger. If any such anger overwhelms or affects our judgement, we as Christians are rendered ineffective and so we ask God to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us. But for a mortal to ask God for forgiveness, that mortal must confess and repent to God.
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