Why is the church so judgmental?
Sadly, this negative perception of Christians is one of the top 3 most widely held by those outside the Church. Nearly 9 out of 10 young outsiders said that the term judgmental accurately describes present-day Christianity according to David Kinnaman in his book “UnChristian.” The other 2 negative labels on Christians: antihomosexual and hypocritical).
How did we get here? How did we get this label?
1 Cor. 6:1-6 Judging one another, the world, and angels
1 Corinthians 5:12 “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside….”
I think the church is called to judge one another (1 Cor. 6:2) or hold each other accountable.
So, it’s a fine line to walk between Christian accountability and forgiveness.
The parable of the unforgiving servant teaches that we need to forgive others as we have been forgiven. This would imply not judging or condemning them.
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge and you not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
“Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Woman caught in adultery in John 8.
Billy Graham once said, “It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.”