O, Judge All, Ye Faithful

By Dan Merchant

Published: December 23, 2008

The Bible contains dozens of passages describing God's judgment, a final day of judgment and the role judging plays in our daily lives. Perhaps the most striking and illuminating of all the verses commanding judgment can be found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28 Verses 21-30.

To set the stage for this passage, it follows Jesus' resurrection and his final meeting with the disciples where he imparts to them The Great Commission.

"Oh, and one more thing, verily I say unto thee my brethren, when I say, ‘teaching all the nations the things I have commanded unto you', I want you to make clear unto them your displeasure if they are slow learners. For just as you have obeyed my every word, these new disciples should obey your every word. I'm leaving you in charge. Okay, you have not heeded my every breath, true, but I ask you, in the spirit of righteous indignation, go forth and burden the unbelievers with your judgment so that they may see my truth and grace. Well, let's not worry about the grace for now, but be sure to hammer them with the truth as a blacksmith hammers a sword into shape. And by truth, you know, just pick out the bits you like and smote the heathen upside the head with whatever seems proper at that moment.

And be wary, my children, of the odd in personality, the strangely dressed and those that just strike you the wrong way even if you can't quite put your finger on it, for them a special condemnation is reserved. Heap upon them your scorn and ridicule, separate yourself from them as you would from the lepers, for then and only then will they know me. Reject their needs and pointless cries for mercy. If they should hunger admonish them for their foolish choices. If they are without clothing, mock them for their lack of foresight. Rule over the unbelievers and even those in the flock who cannot seem to get it together, rule with incisive and harsh judgment so they will feel the sting of unworthiness. Go forth my disciples and judge, when you have filled your breasts with satisfaction and the lost souls quietly recede into the lonely darkness, rejoice." - Matthew 28:21-30

You say this is not one of your favorite Gospel passages? You can't find Matthew 28:21 in your King James Bible? And, no, you will not find this passage in the NIV or The Message or The Voice (stand down you hardliners). Of course, Matthew 28:21-30 doesn't exist in any Bible because Jesus never commanded his disciples, or us, to represent him in this way. However, based on the way we treat each other, believer and non-believer alike, there are many who feel as if my satiric passage above were, in fact, our most treasured doctrine. Why is the lure of judging our friends and neighbors and enemies so powerful? (Oh, wait, Jesus commanded us to Love our enemies as ourselves, but that's another article).

Traveling the country during the making of my film Lord, Save Us From Your Followers, I've had many conversations with folks from all walks on the topic of judgment. Many people feel they have the right to judge because they hold the truth and they are simply obeying the Bible. Others feel the truth is being constantly attacked and must be defended and, again, judgment is the justifiable outcome of that theological steel cage death match.

I personally recognize both of these postures because I'm a bit of an expert at them. These conversations have reflected back to me a couple of observations about myself: I don't need to rely on God to be right about everything, I have an uncanny ability to do that myself. I do find I need his help with the loving one another part, perhaps that's a clue. In my position as defender of the faith I am essentially stepping into God's shoes to straighten everyone else out, which, unfortunately, is a job I am woefully unqualified for (James 4:12 resolves with "Who are you to judge a brother?").

Also, a prevailing lack of humility compounds this whole judging problem. Humility is the governor that restrains us and can reshape our judgment into teaching, our self-righteousness into good works and our filibusters into concerned listening.

As we celebrate our savior's birth this Christmas season let's remember he came to save us to teach us a new way to treat each other. Through this loving of each other, not judging each other, we show God we love him. Crazy, huh?

Dan Merchant is the writer/director of the new documentary film Lord, Save Us From Your Followers, and is the publisher of the companion book, Lord, Save Us From Your Followers, released in 2008 by Thomas Nelson.