Confrontation or Condemnation?

Jesus is not always happy about the state of the church, but He is very concerned about its welfare. Jesus said of the church, “All the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18 NLT).

In using the word church, I’m not speaking of a building; I’m speaking of people. The church exists for three reasons: the glorification of God, the edification of the saints, and the evangelization of the world.

When you’re walking with God, you’ll want to be with God’s people. And if you find yourself out of fellowship with God, then you’ll also find yourself out of fellowship with other believers. You’ll find yourself saying things like, “I don’t really know if I want to go to church today. Besides, there are so many hypocrites. When I go, I feel judged.”

An often-quoted verse is Matthew 7:1, which says, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (NKJV). This could be translated, “Condemn not, that you be not condemned.” We are not to condemn other people. But evaluation is something we should do for one another, helping one another, encouraging one another, and, if necessary, correcting one another.

I reserve the right to confront, if necessary, a fellow Christian who is on the wrong track. As Hebrews 10 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (verses 24–25 NKJV).

God wants us to be holy people—not holier-than-thou in the way someone looks down at another with condescension. Rather, it means living a life that is honoring to God and wanting to become more and more like Jesus every day.