This is getting old. Maybe some time I’ll smarten up. The fact is that I trip regularly in my pursuit of holiness – as opposed to the long, absolutely unhindered strides I used to take in the other direction. So here I am, apologizing again. If this keeps up, I’ll need an “Apologies” category. And since the other post was open trackbacks, I have to do the same with this one, to further publicize my idiocy. 
I posted “Another Reason To Despise Lawyers” recently which was a very stern condemnation of some law students with whose behavior I was disgusted. This provoked a comment from Al of Discovering the Heart of God.
I agree: to whom much is given, much is required. Which is why we should show love, grace, and compassion to lawyers who have gotten trapped in sin.
I think that “hating lawyers” isn’t a particularly righteous thing to do. It’s actually kind of self-righteous. But he who has been forgiven much loves much, Jesus said. Self-righteous hate is simply a failure to recognise that I am full of sin too.
Don’t forget, everyone hated tax collectors, but Jesus loved them and offered grace. If we belong to Christ, that’s our calling too.
So I thought about it a while (my initial reaction was knee-jerk rejection, which should have told me something) and posted this reply.
Al, point taken. But I would like to point out that despise does not equal hate and that I haven’t given up on them entirely. Surely you’re not saying that harmful behavior is exempt from criticism just because we’re Christians? Kind of like you’re criticizing me for being self-righteous… you believe I’m behaving badly and you called me on it. What’s wrong with that? And while I’ll admit to being overly harsh, it is not a fair characterization to say that I hate them. I didn’t use that word, and I don’t hate them.
Lawyers, like doctors, chose to be in a profession where they have the potential to do a lot of good, or cause a lot of hurt. That’s why lawyers are bound to ethical requirements, not just legal standards. When they abrogate that responsibility – or as these students did, reject it entirely – they deserve to be criticized for it.
Here’s why I was dead wrong and Al was right. (Use of the word hate notwithstanding, the heart of his comment was spot-on.)
For it is no business of mine to be judging those who are outside; but it is yours to be judging those who are among you; As for those who are outside, God is their judge. So put away the evil man from among you.
(1 Corinthians 5:12-13)
If you claim Christianity, you are absolutely subject to criticism (judgement of your behavior) by other Christians. This is what entitles me to criticize Fred Phelps, for example. And we should, because the lack of that criticism might lead unbelievers to think that we accept him as one of our own when he patently is not. But as this verse clearly indicates, those outside the church are off-limits. Furthermore, even when criticism is allowed, it falls under the heading of these verses, which God has helpfully kept popping up in front of me since I responded to Al’s comment, in a sermon, two sessions of a marriage seminar, and several blog posts on various Christian blogs.
not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. – Titus 2:10
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. – Ephesians 5:4
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8
Whatever one may think about the accuracy of my post, it in no way complies with these verses. Al, you were right, I apologize, and thank you for taking me to task on this issue. I really appreciate it.
[Update: Because of a reader comment, in the comments I clarified further my thoughts on who's subject to criticism and by whom, and I would also like to add here that this doesn't mean that as Christians we can't identify sin for what it is. I have to give this some thought - the difference between acknowledging that some behavior is sinful and judging. Judging implies consequences, and of course we can't mete out punishment, nor should we want to. But I also don't believe we have to stand silent in the face of a world that is rotting away before our eyes. It's a complicated issue, and for now, I'm going to continue to study it and let those verses guide me. If you know of any good articles on this topic, please link them in the comments.]
You are such an encouragement and inspiration to me. Thank you.
How does one decide who is “outside” and thus beyond criticism? Does this mean one’s individual church, one’s denomination or all Christians? Does it refer to one’s community beyond faith, the people on one’s street on in one’s voting district, one’s nation?
Does it, perhaps, refer to all people of faith or all human beings?
Thanks, Amanda!
Thomas, if a person does not claim Christianity, they are definitely “outside.” If you claim Christianity, you’re fair game for scrutiny, but as a practical matter, only people in your church, and generally people you know well, will keep you accountable.
However, any “public” Christian of any denomination – for example TV preachers, politicians who brag about their faith, and bloggers with explicitly Christian blogs – opens themselves up for scrutiny. Even though this is a small blog (about 5000 visitors a month and some of them came here looking for porn
) I feel that I ought to note my failures as well as successes.
Arrrgh!!! as usual Laura, spot on with your insight. It’s so hard to love those people, especially ’cause they seem to do bad for the sake of badness. But you’re still right, via the wisdom of commentor Al. I see that God has blessed him with a good amount of wisdom and I hope He continues to do so. For all of us.
Laura,
I’m glad I could help.
I am someone who by nature can be very condescending and critical if I’m not careful. It’s just the way I was raised. But God has graciously and patiently worked long and hard in my life to soften my self-righteous heart. So I’m speaking from experience.
Yes, I agree with you….it is very true that we are called to identify and confront sin in other Christians. But it’s always with a view to restoring them to Jesus Christ. And yes, it can sometimes be very complicated, because too often the plank in our own eye is so big that we aren’t seeing things from our Father’s perspective. So the Christian does well to examine his own heart before approaching another Christian about his/her behaviour. But approach them we must!
As for those outside of Christ? Yes, it is certainly appropriate to help them identify sin in their lives. It’s hard to receive salvation if you don’t understand that you are sinning. But we are always to do it with a loving heart, not a condemning heart….and always with a view to leading them to the forgiveness and healing found in Christ. My concern was that your use of the word “despise” was rather pejorative and unhelpful. “Despise” reeks with undertones of hate and self-righteousness. It didn’t sound like you despised just their sins; it sounded like you despised most lawyers as well. And this is where so many of us trip up and make ourselves unavailable to offer grace and forgiveness to other sinners.
Laura, a guiding verse for me has always been the part of John 3:16 that everyone leaves out — VERSE 17! “For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”
If Jesus was not allowed to judge the world, then what makes me think that I am?
Blessings!
Thanks for you insight.
There is a lot to think over, but I doubt that I will engage in harsh commentary like that again, especially without a thorough examination of my own heart and motives.