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This morning my eyes fell on two phrases that jumped out at me that I hadn't noticed before. “Everyone of you”, and “in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself.” (2:1)
The first phrase is a very airtight statement leaving no one at all any wriggle room to excuse their criticism of others. And believe me, I have heard, as well as participated in, a wide array of these excuses. I'm sure you have heard some of these and could add to them as well – “speaking the truth”, “standing up for what is right”, “calling sin by its right name”, “fruit inspecting” etc. There is always enough of an element of truth wrapped into these explanations to supposedly vindicate our judging of others. But in this passage I cannot find Paul giving any latitude whatsoever to any of these excuses. He states categorically that “everyone of you who passes judgment... condemns yourself.”
Then ensues a long argument over the supposed difference between judging, condemning, criticism etc. and how what I am doing is right while what you are doing to expose me is wrong. I believe that for the honest in heart who want to live in God's love and reflect His nature, the discussion yesterday about the difference between the original words used in this passage will be very helpful. For those who are more interested in defending their position at all costs the insights there are probably worse than useless.
The second phrase that presented itself to me today would be also helped if I knew the original language and context better. But lacking that and trusting in the Spirit to guide me in spite of my handicaps, I am going to muse over this passage and see what I can perceive myself.
It seems to me that this could read more than one way with different but not necessarily conflicting meanings. The first way, and the way it is worded in this translation, implies that you are doing the very same things that you condemn others for doing. This is even elaborated and emphasized in the rest of the verse and the next verse as well. It is clearly at least part of what Paul was trying to convey, but I am not sure that excludes the other optional reading of this.
The other, maybe more subtle message that could be found here, is that in the very act of judging others you are condemning yourself. In this case the focus would not so much be on the similarity of your sins with those you are criticizing but the guilt lies in the spirit of condemnation indulged in by the accuser. I think it would be safe to conclude that both of these concepts can be found and applied personally from this passage.
Another thought came to me as I was forced to face the recurring objection that always arises in the back of my mind whenever I read or hear this. How can it be that, for instance, if I indulge in “judging” a homosexual for his sin that Paul (and God by implication) can rightfully assert that I am guilty of the very same sin? The passage leading up to this text certainly has been frequently used and abused to do that very thing. So how can Paul assert that anyone who judges homosexuals or even other types of sinners listed previously has implicated themselves as doing the very same things?
The thought that presented itself to me was that I need to discern between roots and fruits. This insight was made easier because of the extended time I have taken to immerse myself in chapter 1 over the past few days and weeks so that I have become much more familiar and comfortable with it. I have begun to see that the real “sins” that Paul is referring to are not necessarily the fruits of sin listed near the end of chapter 1 but the continuous rejections of God and revelations about Him repeatedly mentioned in the text.
That being the case, it becomes much easier to see how everyone who passes judgment is always guilty of the very same sins. The results of those sins may or may not look quite different between the accuser and his target, but the root cause – a distorted picture of what God is like and how He relates to us – will be found to be identical. That is the message that for me is really beginning to emerge as I take the time to sift through this section of Romans to see what God has to reveal to me about Himself.
I believe that may really be the main point of Romans 1. God is in the business of revealing Himself and sinners are in the opposite business of suppressing the truth (1:18). We can fall into the trap of suppressing the truth far easier by masking it under the guise of judging “open sin” more than any other way. Religion has for centuries refined this to a high art and claims to represent God while in fact presenting a very sick, perverted picture of Him that has turned millions away from God in disgust and rage. Religious people have done far more to destroy God's reputation than “open sinners” could ever possibly do.
So how does this apply to me personally? I need to not only be aware of when I am tempted to criticize others and judge them, but I need to understand the reason behind that temptation and expose the root lies hiding inside me to the sterilizing light of truth. I need to review the previous passages to remind myself of the root causes that lie behind the sins that become so abhorrent and destructive when they come to full fruit. How can I avoid the hypocrite trap and stay in right relationship with my Creator?
I need to understand and embrace the truth about God and about Jesus in the real truth of the gospel. I need to do this even more with my heart than with my head (1:1-4). I need to experience the obedience of faith – for His name's sake (5). I want to know experientially what it means for me to be “the called of Jesus Christ”, “beloved of God” and called as a saint (6,7).
As I realize this experience more fully I may find to my surprise that my faith too, may be found to be “proclaimed throughout the whole world” (8) (Not really that difficult with today's technologies). I have the privilege of serving God in my spirit in the gospel (the good news about God) of His Son and enter into the power of praying for others and connecting my hearts with theirs. I can be encouraged together with them, “each of us by the other's faith” (9-12).
As I am more filled with the passion of God to save sinners from deception and the destructive effects of sin, I will feel more and more a sense of obligation to share the good news of the truth about God with everyone I meet, even when they are unlovable or hostile or hateful. I will see them more with the eyes of heaven. I will not be ashamed any longer of the gospel, for I will be living in its power to save, salvage and restore me to the likeness of the Almighty God of the universe. I shall see true righteousness revealed – God's righteousness – and will know what it means to “live by faith” (13-17).
In addition, I can note things to avoid to stay out of deception and live in the truth of God. I will not want to suppress the truth but will live enjoying continuously increasing revelations of truth. I will pay attention to what is revealed about God in His creation and what is evident even within myself (18-20). I will love to honor God and live in gratitude and praise under the protection of His covenant blessing for me. Instead of become darker, my heart – the core of my being that most craves satisfaction and love and being valued and cherished – will become ablaze with the fire, the light and the passion ignited by the very heart of God Himself (21-23). The lust of my heart will be to know God's heart most of all. I will know that the source for life and real satisfaction cannot be found in anything less than my Creator Who loves me beyond my wildest imagination (24,25).
The more fully I enter into this fulfilled existence connecting with God's heart, the more rich and fulfilling will be my intimacy in my own marriage and my heart connections with the family that God creates around me (26,27) As I choose to stay aware of and acknowledge God as my true source of real life and fulfillment, my mind will become clearer, more noble, wiser and more stable. The fruits of the Spirit will be naturally exhibited in my life and I will become an agent of hope and change in the lives of others who will be attracted to God through my example (28-32).
When I am living this kind of life, I will not surrender to the temptation to condemn others for their failures and sins for I will know that I am just as vulnerable as they to revealing the effects of evil in my life if I do not stay in the love and grace of God every moment (2:1-3). My only safety is in putting great weight in the “riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience” with me. My only hope is in “the kindness of God that leads me to repentance” (2:4).
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; (Hebrews 12:2-4)
