Inspired not condemned

The advertising industry has apparently decided that promoting anxiety about being judged inadequate is just as good for business as creating envy. So women's magazines carry pictures of celebrities with scathing captions mocking the size of their thighs, the colour of their lipstick or their fashion blunders. The message to readers is clear - get this right or you too will be judged. Of course the magazines carry numerous advertisements for products that will help you do just that.

Sadly, some churches seem to work on the same principle. Certain individuals are criticised, openly or subtly, for the way they dress, the frequency of their attendance at church functions, or the way they bring up their children. Sometimes the pulpit is used to condemn not just sin, but sinners. Soon everyone learns to conform, not out of love or respect for each other, but because they fear that they too will be judged.

Fear of condemnation should have no place among Christians. Jesus repeatedly warned his disciples against having a judgmental attitude towards others. He was grieved and angered by the Pharisees’ tendency to judge and condemn those who didn't conform to their own man-made standards. The church that is following Jesus will be a place where people are welcomed as they are, and inspired to do better, rather than being made anxious to conform.

What the Bible has to say about sin must be taught, and taught well. It is sometimes appropriate to privately and lovingly confront someone who is straying from God’s word. But only God knows enough about the circumstances of a person’s life and the motives of their heart to be their judge. If he himself does not condemn us, let us be people who offer encouragement rather than condemnation to each other.