Zimpapers Logo

that is, the manner in which fellow Christians pass judgment on others – calling them all sorts of unworthy names.
It is a spiritual phenomenon that I feel is detracting believers from concentrating on the core business – preaching the gospel as the Lord Jesus commanded.

In some Christian circles, you hear of believers who are alleged to be bogus, implying that those making these claims consider themselves perfect and sinless.
Are church denominations also so desperate for congregants that they resort to discrediting other believers in order to win converts?

What has happened to the word of God when a good deal of Christian believers’ time is spent demonising other believers instead of showing them the way and, embracing them through the Lord Jesus’ love?
Which believer can claim to be good when Jesus said about Himself, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

The Apostle Paul is another good example when he wrote the Philippians while in prison for the sake of preaching the gospel, persecution that local believers have not yet experienced: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in

Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:13-14)
There are many examples one can cite, but the bottom line is when we do these things, are converts increasing, or these are the same believers moving from one denomination to another because of these “judgment” issues?

Martin G Collins gives a refreshing view on judging others: “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (Romans 2: 1-3, NKJV)

He continues, “The apostle Paul comments on the hypocrisy that often occurs when judging others.
This is a clear explanation of Jesus’ illustration of a man with a plank in his eye critically pointing out the speck in someone else’s (Matthew 7:3-5)!

In the original Greek, “inexcusable” in Romans 2:1 is literally “defenseless.”
In the spiritual court of law, there is no defense for the actions of a person who commits the same sin of which he accuses another.

An interesting aspect of this appears when we understand a more thorough meaning of the word “practice” (prassoo) that occurs later in the verse. It means to perform repeatedly or habitually; to do exactly.
We can infer from this that Paul means these accusers have not only committed the particular sin before but are also continuing to commit it!

We cannot properly assess what a righteous standard is if we use others or ourselves – fallible human beings – as the standard.
True judgment is according to the truth of God. Paul makes this very point in the next verse: “But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things” (Romans 2:2).

God’s righteous judgment is based on truth. This means that His decisions are reached based on reality, on the facts of the case, not on appearances or intentions.
It also means He judges without partiality to rank, wealth, station, or position.

Finally, it means that He judges against an authoritative and unchanging standard: His own character as revealed in His Word.
Judging our lives according to how others live is a sure way to neglect and ignore serious problems in our own lives.
Continuing in verse 3, Paul writes, “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?”

God pronounces judgment on those who make a practice of indulging in sin. The apostle makes it quite certain that all sin will be judged. No one will “get away with it.”
Some, indulging in self-praise, write their own testimonials to promote themselves because they are full of impatient pride, unable to wait for the acknowledgment and praise of others for their accomplishments.

In their own foolishness, these people try to establish their own conduct as the norm and then find great satisfaction in always measuring up to the standard that they have set. – [email protected].
The article is an excerpt from Martin G Collins’ book “Comparing Ourselves Among Others”.

Forthcoming events
Event: 12th International Precious Stone Women and Girls Convention
Date: June 16 – 19
Venue: HICC, Rainbow Towers
Theme: “There is a river . . . (Psalm 46:4) (Releasing the value and potential of the woman and girl through the power and wisdom of Jesus Christ
Time: 9am – 2:30pm
Hosts: Dr R F Wutawunashe and the Precious Stones, Family of God Churches
Contact: 0772698985/0772401096
***
Event: Ladies Conference – AFM Harare West Province
Dates: June 16-19
Venue: Rajiv Ghandi Hall, Harare Showgrounds
Theme: Living righteous in an ungodly world (Kururama munyika yakaipa) (Genesis 6: 6-8)
Contact: 04-309090/0773372863/0772266040
***
Event: Methodist Church in Zimbabwe – Harare East: Musical Gala
Date: June 18
Time: 11am – 6pm
Venue: Aquatic Complex, Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza
Main attractions: Pastor Charles Charamba and Mai Charamba; Bethany Pasinawako and Sebastian Magacha
Contact: 0772308521 (Bishop Muzenda)
***
Event: Breaking Territorial Spirits
Dates: June 14-19
Venue: The Kingdom Church, WCCC, 2nd Floor, Century House East, Nelson Mandela
Speaker: Bishop Climate Irungu
Contact: 0733801799/0776153356
***
Event: Marriage Seminar
Dates: June 16-18
Time: 5:30-7:30pm; 8am-4pm
Venue: His Presence Ministries International, L Takawira/K Nkrumah
Speakers: Apostle Charles and Pastor Petunia Chiriseri
Contact: 0772100398
***
Event: Dealing with Today’s Issues – Conference
Date: June 25
Time: 1-5pm
Facilitator: Rev C Chidimuro
Venue: Hatfield Worship Centre (Cnr Elgin and Kilwinning Rds, Hatfield)
Contact: 0773296818/0772674850
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 1:8-9)
[email protected]