Christian conduct

Christian conduct

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
 Matthew 7:12
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
          Matthew 7:1,2
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                         1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
I have found a quite, to me at least disturbing trend within the evangelical community here in North America. It’s been around for a long time but it has become more visible now in our multimedia age.
First of all I see some calling themselves Christians not obeying the words of Jesus when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
                    Matthew 7:12
I see those claiming to be Christians both in the media and out yelling at the top of their lungs to the effect, “YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF SINNERS HEADING FOR HELL.”
These Christians are calling hell fire and brimstone down on the heads of people who do not believe a word they say. Not only that they are pushing people that need God away.
I see people calling themselves Christian leaders pointing to the Gay community condemning them to hell because they have “a special sin”.
Well I have news for those who would do that. The sins of a gay man are no different than the sins of a “holier than thou evangelist”.
Not only that but anyone who calls themselves a Christian and judges someone is also guilty of sin.
Our job is not to judge. Paul makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                          1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Jesus told us to love, God, our neighbour, and even our enemies.
I believe he told us to do this because the eternal resting place of an individual may depend on the actions of a Christian believer.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                   Matthew 28:18-20.
Christians everywhere have a sacred duty to reach out in love to everyone. To show people the way to heaven irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
We are not to judge anyone. We are there to reach out to every man and woman on the planet with the love of God.
Christians as a whole particularly here in North America need to look carefully at our words and actions. We need to remember the words of Jesus to love those around us and to reach out to all people with the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.
At the same time we need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                     1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Think about it.