Listen to the Word of God: 62 Scripture passages that refute 'Christian' Nationalism - #11: Matthew 7:1-5

 

Matthew 7:1-5     New International Version

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

One of the most damaging aspects of 'Christian' Nationalism with respect to evangelism and the integrity of the Gospel is its built in tendency to shout from the rooftops about the sins of 'them' (the political enemies of 'our team'), and at the same time downplay or even cover-up the sins committed by 'us' (the political allies of 'our team').  This rank hypocrisy isn't fooling anyone, and both other Christians who disagree with the favored political stance of the 'Christian' Nationalists and non-believers can readily see it.

The question then becomes, "Why?"  Why are 'Christian' Nationalists so concerned with the sins committed by people they don't want to be a part of their group {either because they're Christians who don't think like them about politics, and therefore in their minds not Christians at all, or they're non-believers who aren't acceptable partners in such a 'holy crusade'}, and so unconcerned about the sins committed by the people that belong to their group?  The only possible answer is that this is being done in the pursuit of worldly power {and its unholy partners, fame and money}.  In order to 'win', morality must be set aside.  This not only applies to employing tactics and strategies that would otherwise be called evil {more on that with other texts}, but in this case being hyper-partisan in the use of the moral authority that they supposedly wield on God's behalf.

One of the key things to look for when this is happens is 'what-about-ism'.  When a person on 'our team', especially a powerful political leader or influential religious figure, is credibly accused of a deeply disturbing sin, even a heinous crime, the immediate response is to say in essence, "What about that person on the other team who did something else that isn't right?!?!"  This of course is a way of avoiding accountability and facing the hard truth that political allies not beholden to the demands of Christian discipleship are only playing lip service to the morality that 'Christian' Nationalists proclaim is essential to the future of America.

In the end, such hypocrisy may help win some elections, but the cost is always high, not only fostering schism and animosity within the body of Christ, but showing non-believers that to 'Christian' Nationalists at least, the sharing of the Gospel and the call to righteous living are commands of less importance {since they're willing to compromise them so thoroughly} than gaining and maintaining power here on earth.  Why would they seek salvation from such a Gospel?

Sermon Video: Self-Righteousness = Contempt for God's Mercy

Released between two horrific mass shootings was the report about how sex abuse was handled by the Southern Baptist Convention.  This horrific reports detailed failures spanning decades to report and combat sexual abuse within SBC churches and institutions.  At the same time, the SBC has been on the forefront condemning the sexual ethics of the culture at large, primarily targeting those outside the Church.  This blatant hypocrisy has become far too common, we have cynically come to expect it of our politicians and even pastors, and it is toxic to both the Culture and the Church.

The Apostle Paul takes aim at hypocritical judgementalism, when the people of God condemn others for doing the very things they themselves still do (often in secret).  That this is entirely unacceptable goes without saying, but the deeper danger is that is damages our relationship with God, leading to entirely justified anger because it makes a mockery of God's grace and forgiveness to us.

Sermon Video: Run to get the prize - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

There are few metaphors I feel more at home with in the Bible than when Paul compares our Christian journey to running a race.  What does it take to have a shot to win a race?  Certainly hard work, but also a plentiful measure of God-given talent.  In the spiritual realm, hard work and dedication are also required, but significantly, there can be many "winners" among those willing to serve the kingdom of God.  As a warning to finish out the metaphor, Paul reminds us that we cannot risk being "disqualified" from our race through immorality.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: Woe to the phony believers - Luke 11:37-54

What is it about some Church going people that causes people who don't go to Church to stay away?  Two of the most common complaints are that Church people are judgmental and that they are hypocrites.  That this attitude exists should be no surprise to us, after all, Jesus confronted the same issues when interacting with the outwardly religious members of the Pharisees.  During a dinner to which Jesus had been invited by a Pharisee, Jesus offers a scathing rebuke to the outward piety and inward immorality of people like his host.  He goes on to offer six "woes" aimed at those who have zeal without love, are full of pride, have a facade of piety which hides wickedness, are beholden to legalism, ignore the spokesmen of God, and finally stand in the way of others coming to God for forgiveness.  The common theme in the list is that in each case those committing the transgression are guilty of shallow belief/obedience that only impacts the surface, it does not continue on to transform the heart.  Such surface belief naturally leads toward judgmentalism, for those who have not truly been forgiven often fail to forgive others, and hypocrisy, for how can anyone practice what they preach if not by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: "Do not judge" Luke 6:37-42

As Jesus' sermon continues, the ideas of "do to others" and "be merciful" are further developed by adding to them "do not judge", "do not condemn", and "forgive".  The call continues for followers of Jesus Christ to live a higher moral standard.  Why must we not judge, because we ourselves do not want to be judged?  Why must we not condemn, because God is merciful and so must we be.  Forgiveness offers the path to doing away with judgmental and condemnatory attitudes, when we learn to forgive as God forgives we no longer feel the need to elevate ourselves by bring others down. 
Jesus continues by explaining that the blind cannot lead the blind, we must follow the example of our teacher (himself) and learn from those who have become like him.  The final analogy, of the man with a plank in his eye trying to remove the speck in the eye of another shows the absurdity of those who have their own moral failings trying to correct those same failings in others.  Yes, we must help others in their efforts to be Christ-like, but we should do so by first examining ourselves that we may offer help from a position of victory over sin.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video