padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

Just out of idle curiosity what seminary did you attend and get your own MDiv or did you get yours at Compromise & Osmosis Progressive U? People like you are amusing to me. If I, for example, were to ask you what you know about nuclear energy and related fields, you'd probably not be embarrassed to tell me, "not too much." If I further asked you indignantly why the bloody hell don't you know much about nuclear energy, etc., you'd respond indignanently that you never studied it in school. "Why didn't you go to a University and study nuclear fission, nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, etc., and the many disciplines surrounding our use of nuclear energy vitally important to your life, "You'd likely tell me that your area of interest was not in Nuclear Energy. That's a perfectly logical response.

Now please explain how someone like you who never attended a formal monastic, highly disciplined seminary for the purpose of responding to a Call and seeking necessary knowledge thru education in everything from Scripture in different languages, patristics, theology, music theory and history, church history, liturgies, comparative religions, moral theology, etc, etc, etc, etc, ad infinitum, know so much more about the most vitally important things of everlasting life that allows you to misunderstand simple things like judgments?

Continue reading Matthew 7 for the entire meaning. Jesus clearly says take the wood out of your own eye–take care of your own sin first–and then you will see clearly so that you may go take that speck out of your brother’s eye. Guess what? Even the favorite verse of those who want to avoid confrontation, even that favorite verse contradicts their position, because if you read the whole passage, in that very passage itself, Jesus says that after you have dealt with your own sin, then the time comes that you do confront your brother, and you do help them deal with their sin.

So what does it mean when Jesus says, “Judge not”?  When He says, “Do not judge”, Jesus is not talking about whether you will confront your brother or your sister in their sin. What Jesus is talking about is the order in which you do it.

EmilyD

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any t***sgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." ~ Galatians 6:1

THAT is what padre is TRYING to do!!

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

Does God say four or five times in Scripture, “Confront your brother with his sin, confront your sister with her sin,” and then here in the Sermon on the Mount, say exactly the opposite? Of course not.Jesus does not say, “Take that wood out of your own eye and then keep your mouth shut so that you don’t judge anybody.” See, that’s the message we hear taught to us many times, from many corners, is, “Take care of your own sin, take the wood out of your own eye, and then just keep your mouth shut. Don’t confront anybody, because that would be judging.”
Jesus says exactly the opposite.

EmilyD

And He made sure that we weren't proud about helping someone who has slipped up by telling us to make sure we don't also fall for the same or similar fallacies...

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

Of course we are to judge. We are to judge actions and deeds. We are not to judge someone’s heart.

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

In his 18th homily on Ephesians, St. John Chrysostom makes an important observation about the passage that says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” St. John Chrysostom says those words are only in reference to very small errors. In other words, “Judge not" means don't nip pick. But when our brother is engaged in open r*******n against God, sinning in grievous ways, we have a Christian duty to reprove our brother, and to call him to repentance. Confronting sin is not only permitted for us. It is required.

First Timothy five, verse twenty, Paul says, “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of everybody so that the rest will be fearful to continue sinning.” Emily, now that’s getting personal. We’re not just stepping on toes, we’re literally stomping on them on a stage in front of everybody. That doesn’t sound very comforting or uplifting to me.

How about James 5:19 and 20? “If anyone among you wanders from the t***h, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

How many verses are there in Scripture, over and over, that give us an example and even command us to confront one another, in love, with sin? As painful as it may be, as uncomfortable as it may be, as “it's not fun or comfortable ” and even though sometimes it might break relationships, knowing all these horrible consequences, these horrible feelings, we know that Scripture says over and over and over to do it

So if somebody says “No, I should not do that, because it says ‘judge not,’” guess what that is? That’s stupid. It’s ignorant and thanks be to God He does not instantly drop us into hell just because we are stupid.

I hope all those contributing to this conversation today have cleared up Judging for those who might be confused. It's important to remember we can never judge and correct someone of a sin we are engaged in ourselves.

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

How true. It is a comfort to know that we will be judged by One who really knows our heart, our souls heart. Not our lips, not our emotions, but our soul's heart. Having a dual nature, fully man and fully God, Jesus understands our weak and fallen human nature and the times we progress two steps only to fall back three, yet we keep trying. He knows how frail we are.

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

All fall short. Believers know it and repent. Unbelievers know it and don’t care.

EmilyD

Thank you, padre. I always learn so much when you post!! 👍👍👍😊

I think people who are going to quote the Bible, like dwp666 did with Matthew 7, to try to shove guilt trips on us should at least read the whole Bible so they know what they're talking about instead of just picking out wh**ever verse sounds like it might work for their agenda!

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

It's pretty common, unfortunately, to use scripture as a bludgeon. I usually try to stay away from being too Churchy on the OPP because it hinders my angst and well it should. Here I can download. This issue of judgment is so often misunderstood, which taken at face value is very easy to do, that our joint discussion today hopefully helps others to better understand.

EmilyD

👍👍👍😊

Mogon

I caught the extra 6 in dwp66 ‘s name, how clever and fitting!
Love it! 😜

EmilyD

Ha! I didn’t think anyone would notice that! 😁👍

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

My face hurts cause I'm smiling so big.

Mogon

👍😜🇺🇸