Have you heard about the “Jesus” who hangs out with sinners but never talks about sin? He defines love as approval, and his most famous quote isn't found in Scripture, but it's repeated by millions: “It’s not our place to judge. It’s our place to love.”
This fake “Jesus” quotes John 3:17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” And he claims that he never judges sinners and neither should we.
But John 3:16-21 describes Christ's main purpose in coming to earth. He didn't come to condemn us to Hell. We were already condemned (John 3:18). He came to accomplish salvation for “whoever believes.”(1)
No one can understand Christ's salvation until they first understand their sin, which means judgment is a necessary part of sharing the gospel.
Jesus makes this clear in John 9:39: “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
The real Jesus is loving beyond words, and that's why He judges sinners and warns them of Hell.
Sadly, false views of Jesus are creeping into the church. That's why this is the first in our Fake Jesus Series that contrasts the real Jesus with the make-believe “Jesus” created by culture.
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See Please Don't Say, "It's Not Our Job to Judge." And if you have questions about biblical judgment, please see the Bible Love Notes collection of one-minute devotions: Judging Biblically and Overcoming Misunderstandings about Judgment.
If you've purchased Wisdom for Life, I suggest you read or reread Day 41 to reinforce the truths in this devotion.
Footnote:
(1) Even though condemnation (final judgment) was not Christ's main mission on earth, Jesus will be the one who condemns those who refuse to repent and believe:John 5:22-27: “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son...he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”
2 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 25:31-46, and 2 Corinthians 5:10 also speak about Christ as the one who makes the final judgment of each man, condemning or saving.
See Got Questions: What does the Bible teach about Jesus as judge?
Once again, thanx Gail. Not a popular topic, but needed just the same.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is a difference between judgment and condemnation. I can't condemn anyone...only God can do that. However, I can judge people and situations from a Biblical perspective.
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