You think you have the right to judge your fellow man
Question:
I was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, but my husband was raised in the Church of Christ. I cannot believe that you continue to perpetuate the untruths, misconceptions and basic misinterpretations of the Bible. The Church of Christ does not believe in the forgiveness of sin and the grace of God but the power of the local men of the church and their ability to judge and discern the truly repentant and unrepentant sinners of their congregation. They have decided for themselves God's laws and that they have been chosen to judge every member of their congregation and the rest of the world. It is true that there are issues with every congregation but the Nazarenes do not believe that they are the only ones who have it right and that they have a right to judge their fellow man. I would suggest that before posting articles about "thirsting for righteousness" you pray to God that you may have a better understanding of His will and how He would wish you to relay His message. God is about love and forgiveness or why would He have sent His son to die for us. The Church of Christ is not the true church but merely a representation of man of God's authority. I repeat the message I recall from my youth in the Nazarene Church - "judge not lest ye be judged" and "let you who is without sin cast the first stone".
The Church of Christ is a denomination like any other but could be classified as a cult by any definition. Indicating to other churches no matter what their beliefs that they are not the "true' church of Christ only goes to show how truly far gone your denomination is. Your interpretation harms many and benefits few. Pray for guidance as I pray for you also.
Answer:
Sometimes it seems like a broken record. A person screams that it is unfair to draw conclusions about a denomination based on what the Bible states because that is "judging," has no problems making baseless judgments and somehow is convinced that she is exempt from "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Matthew 7:1-2). That, by the way, is a fuller quote and taken in context is not a statement against making judgments but a warning about how judgments are made.
You charge that members of the church of Christ:
- don't believe in the forgiveness of sins (See Forgiveness)
- don't believe in the grace of God (See Grace)
- believe in man's judgment (See Judging Others)
- don't understand how to preach (See Preaching)
- don't understand they are a denomination (See Denominations)
- don't understand they are a cult (See Is the Church of Christ a Cult?)
- don't understand that it doesn't matter what you believe (See The Importance of Doctrine)
I must conclude that you throw around your judgments without knowledge of those you condemn. In addition, you expect others to accept your judgments since you don't appeal to God's standard. Under these conditions, I must reject your arguments.
"Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly" (Proverbs 13:16).
