God loves us so much that He saw we needed help. God sent. God, our Father sent. He sent us help. We. Needed. Help. And we still do. So, God sent His son.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

As believers and representatives of Jesus Christ, we are not supposed to judge others. If Jesus did not come to condemn, then who are we to work beyond His threshold of workmanship?

The Bible clearly explains this to us in the scripture above. Jesus was not sent here to condemn, criticize, or to make us suffer. He came to save us. There is one law giver and one judge.

What is amazing, is how quickly we use a verse about not judging one another as a means to justify our behavior. Many people use this scripture:

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” Matthew‬ ‭7:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We take THIS scripture to mean: “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.”

Can I share something with you? The Bible commands us that we do not judge others but this does not mean we cannot and should not show discernment. This does not mean we cannot identify sin.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John‬ ‭7:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The intent of the Bible is not to figure out how we can do what we want. God did not send us His word, to scramble through the pages, to find a verse that supports our character- which presents itself as the complete opposite of who He says we should be, in Him.

Here is why we do not and should not judge or condemn: The attitude and behavior of a person brings upon their own condemnation.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. ” John‬ ‭3:18-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Christians are often accused of “judging” when they speak out against sin. But opposing sin is not wrong. Holding the standard of righteousness naturally opposes unrighteousness and brings up the defensive boxing gloves of those who choose sin over godliness.

Don’t judge according to appearance but discern in the Spirit.