Watch the video first. There is a wealth of information that took a long time to prepare!
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he took God's wrath that was meant for you and me upon Himself. Therefore, we who follow Christ, have been forgiven of our sins. Our sins have been paid for by Jesus. However, the question remains: Should we judge others? Who? When?
The Bible is clear on not judging others when we are living in sin. Jesus says you will be judged in the same way that you judge. He goes on to call the self righteous judge, hypocrite. Why do you try to take the speck from your brother's eye, but have a plank in your own? Then.... it says, take the plank from your own eye, and you will be able to see clearly to remove the speck from your friends eye. (Matthew 7:1-5).
I think we miss that last part. Do not judge if you are walking in sin yourself. You must be set apart, then help your friend by walking in love, taking the speck out of his/her eye.
Recall, when the Pharisees (self righteous leaders) brought an adulterous woman to Jesus to be stoned. Jesus says, "Let the one who is without sin throw the first stone. That was a strong conviction as no one could pick up a stone. (John 8:1-8) Those who were ready to judge and condemn another were living in sin themselves, especially the religious leaders.
Paul, is stern when he is speaking to the Romans about judgment. He says that whenever you pass judgment, you are condemning yourself. "So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?" (Romans 2:1-3) Pay close attention to "yet do the same things."
Isn't it interesting that the ones who are passing judgment are typically the hypocrites? According to the Scriptures I've found, they are all hypocrites. Is it different if you are walking in the spirit? I think people are confused in this area, and many people walk without accountability. I've seen people in leadership fall, because there has been misconception on judgment, accountability, speaking the truth in love. These verses are 100% truth, but I do think they are taken out of context (not including the entirety of the passage.)
Please don't be deceived: 2 Corinthians 5:10 clearly states that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. After salvation, we will still be judged for what we do good and bad. This doesn't mean we aren't forgiven when we repent, but we are still held accountable for what we do.
“The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.
Luke 12:48
“And a servant (you and me) who knows what the master (Jesus) wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
God does hold you and I responsible. We are accountable for the good and bad we do. I'm not talking about salvation here.
Romans 2:5
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”
I'm urging you to take your heart before the Lord. Stand up for your convictions and do what is right in His sight.
**** please look up and read the Scriptures in their context. I always do when I write, however it would be too long to post each Scripture in it's paragraphs.