JOEL KLAMER Don't judge, but do rebuke without hypocrisy

The Rev. Daniel Rohan recently wrote an article warning people not to judge one another. As a fellow Christian, I agree with him that we should be slow to judge others. Christ will be the final judge of each person's actions.
On the other hand, as Christians, we are called to uplift one another and hold one another accountable for our actions.
The Rev. Mr. Rohan quoted Matthew 7:1-2, which says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This verse does not warn against never rebuking anyone, but rather it warns against hypocrisy.
If you call your brother on a sin and you are also committing that sin, then you will be judged by that same standard that you have used on him. The following verses support this interpretation. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-6)
Strong warning
That is a strong warning to be slow to rebuke, but there is also the allowance for rebuking when no hypocrisy will take place.
Many other verses support the act of rebuking a brother in Christ. 1 Timothy 5:20 says, "Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning."
The Bible tells us how we should do this tactfully. "And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 2:24-25) Scripture also says, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently." (Galatians 6:1)
As Christians, we have a right to seek to set a brother or sister in Christ straight. We must first be sure that we are actively reading and living God's word. We must also be sure that we are not knowingly disobeying God's moral law. Doing these things will guard against being hypocritical when rebuking someone.
Have a relationship
As a matter of practicality when rebuking a fellow Christian, it is important to have an established relationship with that person. Bring the topic of the sinful behavior up in a gentle way and let the person talk about their actions. Then share with them why you think the Bible teaches against that behavior. Usually, sinful actions are accompanied by earthly consequences. If it is appropriate, share with the person what the consequences of their actions may be and how it is negatively affecting the lives of them and other people in their life.
If someone is not willing to listen to you, hear the words of our Lord Jesus: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17)
At this point, all that you can do is leave them peacefully letting them know that you are praying for them. The way that you conduct yourself in your conversation with them could be the deciding factor in whether they will listen to you or not. Also, while most people are not quick to admit their faults, they may take to heart what you have to say and come to see your point when they are given time to think about it.
The matter of law
We also have a responsibility to vote for laws that reflect the moral laws of God given in the Bible. By doing this, we are building up our community and our society. The laws of our country reflect the moral codes of the citizens. These morals may be derived from theistic, atheistic or agnostic beliefs. Regardless of what source, citizens vote according to their beliefs.
Christians should vote for issues and representatives that will uphold the moral law of God's word. Christians should be slow to judge others, but not be afraid to stand for what is right when the situation is appropriate.
XJoel Klamer is completing his master's degree in music from Youngstown State University. He attends Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Austintown.