God's call was never promised to be an easy one. There are certain behaviors and activities that God, being God, cannot rubber stamp for us. Satan is always doing his best to lure us away from our walk with God. He places so many things in our path that look appealing and beliefs that sound good to our sinful nature.
Some believe that we have no right to judge the actions of others. While it's true that we don't know peoples' hearts nor have we walked a mile in their shoes, we can certainly see the affect that sin has had in their lives. Judgment, without cause, takes place when WE decide a person cannot be helped and doesn't deserve to be helped by Jesus. Judgment also occurs when we elevate ourselves and piously believe that we don't have struggles of our own. James 5:16 states, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Jesus' example shows that he was willing to eat with sinners and get his hands dirty which bugged the pious Pharisees. They didn't believe that these sinners had any place in the kingdom. However, Jesus didn't eat with them and then rubber stamp their activities. He met their needs first and then showed them a better way. We are called to do the same. We are to meet the needs of our fellow man first and then show them a better way. Beating someone over the head with a Bible is not meeting their needs nor is turning your back on them because you think they are incapable of overcoming their sin, or even worse, you don't think they deserve a place in the kingdom. God has used a lot of people that some would consider 'unfit' to carry out his work.
Also, using the reputation of what other 'Christians' have done does not alleviate our responsibility to reach out and help a hurting world. Using that as an excuse is our payoff for not doing what we know we ought to be doing. If we truly believe that we aren't allowed to judge the affect of sin in a person's life, then why in the world do we try to reach out and help others? Obviously if that is what Jesus meant when he said, "Do not judge, lest you be judged", then he wouldn't have commanded us to "Go into all the world."
I find it a little ironic that people will say that they won't have anything to do with religion because there are too many judgmental people who call themselves 'Christians' at church. Are they, too, not standing in judgment when they make a statement like that? Those 'judgmental Christians' need Jesus just as much as the worst of sinners. Stop using them (and I'm pointing a finger at myself) as an excuse not to do the right thing. Stop letting them have that power and control over you and the good that you can accomplish for God.
Finally, you cannot help another person find Jesus and His healing power unless you first know what He expects. The only way I know to do that is by reading His word. It's amazing what you can find there that you didn't even know existed. Never take the word of anyone else as to what is acceptable and unacceptable to God. You have to seek that yourself. You also have to be ready to accept some things that might be a little hard to accept. I have discovered some things lately that were taught incorrectly to me as a child. Huge burdens have been lifted because I took the time to study them, but it does me no good to sit around and play the blame game. I've had that Bible right at my fingertips my entire life. I just finally realized that it's up to me to discover the truth that's in it. People are people. They are going to make mistakes. They also have a tendency to get caught up in tradition for the sake of tradition. That is why it's so important to read the Word and come to your own conclusion. We are told to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12
Blessings,
Penny
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