Do you not believe we should seek to correct anybody about anything? You almost leave the impression that you don't in the way that you got on me. But I think you really do.
To answer your question;
do I believe we should seek to correct anybody about anything. Absolutely not! Supposing so is the tell tale sign of someone who is judgmental.
For me, this spiritual epiphany relates to
authority. Unless you have authority over someone, you generally should not be correcting them. The Bible recognizes only 4 Earthly authorities: parents, husbands, civilian leaders and bosses (master's). Let's take a cue from our lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 12:13-14
13 A man in a crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of what our father left us when he died.”
14 Jesus answered, “Who gave me the right to settle arguments between you and your brother?”
A pastor did a sermon on this. He pointed out that if anybody had the right to judge other people's business it probably is the guy who God gave all authority to in heaven and Earth.
Yet, Christ refrained. This should inform our reaction to opportunities to judge.
In this case, only one person in the dispute asked for Jesus' input. Perhaps if the question was not involving another or both those in dispute, our lord may have reacted differently.
So, I generally tend to not offer my judgment unless it is requested. Of course, there are exceptions, like in your case,
where you drew 1st blood. Allow me to present 4 more Bible verses for your consideration.
Matthew 7:1 (VOICE)
Jesus: If you judge other people, then you will find that you, too, are being judged. 2 Indeed, you will be judged by the very standards to which you hold other people.
Many people misunderstand the KJV rendition, supposing it is a command to judge. Not so. It is a command to not have double standards, to not be a hypocrite.
Rom 14:1, 13;
It’s high time that you welcome all people weak in the faith without debating and disputing their opinions ... In light of this, we must resolve never to judge others and never to place an obstacle or impediment in their paths that could cause them to trip and fall.
When someone tells you why they go to church, just accept it.
Don't judge others. Do you see that in the word of God?
Jam 4:11-12
My brothers and sisters, do not assault each other with criticism. If you decide your job is to accuse and judge another believer, then you are a self-appointed critic and judge of the law; if so, then you are no longer a doer of the law and subject to its rule; you stand over it as a judge. 12 Know this—there is One who stands supreme as Judge and Lawgiver. He alone is able to save and to destroy, so who are you to step in and try to judge another?
This verse specifically deals with criticizing fellow believers, assaulting them with criticism, e.g., reasons to go to church.
One thing I've learned in being online is some people actually expect others to give a comprehensive analysis on a situation. Not having anything to do with religion, I find this an absurd expectation. This is an online community. Many posts are tongue and cheek and not written as a comprehesive dissertation.
I know what you're thinking as you've said it already in part underlined above. Why doesn't all this apply to me? Context. As I said,
you drew 1st blood. So, I am invoking Matthew 7:1, judging you by your own standards.
In generally refraining from judging people I do not have authority over, I found it extremely liberating. Give it a try. You might find a load removed for our lords's yoke is light.
if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 (NIV)
Thank you. Make a Blessed Day!
