Nickmano said:
Wondering as an athiest, why this quote exists:
“Judge not, lest ye not be judged.†(Matthew 7:1)
Why does it say in the bible not to judge people, when all the christian faith does, is judge people??
To me its a complete mystery, for a "Higher" being of "Omnipotent" power to be such a huge hypocrite.
Can anyone help me understand this?
Since you are asking the question, I would first suggest refraining from any snap judgments yourself until the matter is investigated.
The fact is, when read in context, Jesus explains what he means. Let's look at the whole context of this teaching of Jesus:
"
1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. "
(Matthew 7:1-5, NASB)
Note that Jesus is speaking about
not judging others hypocritically concerning something that
you yourself also do, or (even if not regarding the same problem) about not first judging yourself
before you judge others. Paul said in
1 Corinthians 11:31, "
But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged". Also notice that Jesus finishes with saying that once a person has made due diligence to judge themselves (remove the log in their own eye)
then they can be allowed to judge another (remove the speck from the other's eye). This also calls to attention another common supposition which must be dispelled with and that is that such judgment is negative or antagonistic, but this is not the case for someone who is not judging hypocritically. The judgment can be from love or concern for another (say they discourage them from engaging in vice), but such a sincere approach can only be rightly maintained if one first judges themself.
In the
affirmative for correct judgment Jesus said in
John 7:24, "
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment". Here righteous and sincere judgment is encouraged, but shallow superficial judgment is condemned.
Righteous judgment can be exercised, and God is the ultimate righteous judge. "
In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day"
(2 Timothy 4:8). We will be accountable for our deeds, and Jesus was primarily preaching about judging in proportionality to both our deeds and the deeds of others, while not being a hypocrite. All of us will be accountable to Christ on the last day though, as it says in
2 Corinthians 5:10, "
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad".
God also lovingly judges his own children, believers, to create righteousness and order in the Church. But resisting that judgment comes with a warning, "
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
(1 Peter 4:17). We should accept that God's ways are righteous and heed the chastising of God so that our deeds too may be righteous and that - when necessary - we can judge righteously.
I hope this has addressed you initial concerns.
God Bless,
~Josh
