Judgmentalism

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
~Romans 2: 1-8

This is the passage we considered in evening fellowship last Sunday evening. As Dave led the discussing, he used some good study materials from Redeemer Presbyterian. One of the topics we discussed has been in my mind all week. The materials commented that these verses act like a little tape recorder around the neck of believers, recording all those things we say and think about others, and on the day of judgement, God will play back those things and ask how we measure up to our own words. Yikes! If I will only remember that horrifying thought, it might help me guard my mind and tongue and thoughts more carefully when I think about others.

The first pastor we had after getting married used to say we should be as hard on ourselves as we can be, and as generous with others as possible. Oh, what troubles this would spare us!

Of course, this passage is written to believers, who are *supposed* to be discerning. What a fine line there is between discernment and judgementalism! May God give us the grace to know the difference, Gentle Reader.