SUNDAY, JULY 17
Scripture: John 7:14-24

The surprising passage in John 7 shows Jesus in conflict with the Pharisees. What He says in verse 24 is a direct command for us to hear. He said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Jesus commanded us to judge with righteous judgment. The teaching, “Do not judge” is not accurate. The teaching, “Be careful how you judge” is very accurate. The issue is not judging in hypocrisy but judging in righteous judgment. Righteous judgment dictates that we uphold the standard of scripture. The standard of Scripture is offensive to anybody who is committed to a lifestyle of sin. God loves the sinner, but the sin will kill them. The church has become passive and in some cases, accepting of evil. God loves the sinner but judges the sin. Without the presentation of the righteous standard of the Word, there is no reason for a person to repent! Why would anyone repent unless they are told, the consequences of their actions. Will a loving God send people to the lake of fire? The response to that truth reveals the condition of the church. When people say, “You cannot say that!” it reveals how far gone they already are. Jesus said that and the Bible says that. The reason we can say it is the hope that people will repent. Without telling them the truth, there is no need to repent. They continue thinking their lifestyle has no consequences. They are not OK. Their lifestyle is not OK. Will we judge righteous judgment or will we not? Jesus commanded us to do it!