A familiar refrain often heard in various settings is “Don’t be
judgmental,” sometimes with the scriptural justification “Judge not,
that ye not be judged.” As biblical commentators note with remarkable
agreement, the brief statement about not judging is in Matthew’s
“Sermon on the Mount” which repeatedly judges human loyalties,
priorities, and behavior. In its own context “Judge not, that ye not be
judged” refers to those making hypocritical judgments (especially
the legalistic Pharisees ready to condemn others for the most trivial matters).
The television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart who preached marital fidelity and was
at the same time adulterous is an example of a modern day hypocritical
judgment.
Both
of the biblical readings we have heard tonight are judgmental. The passage from
Deuteronomy declares explicitly the one Way of faithful living, that of
loyalty to the one, true God self-disclosed in the evolution of the people
Israel. Individuals – indeed, communities – are challenged to
discriminate among gods and choose the correct one, the only real God.
Furthermore, those choosing allegiance to the Creator are provided standards of
behavior by which they are to make ethical judgments. Notice that the
Deuteronomy selection is neither advising nor suggesting; rather we hear
enduring commandments so vital that they are to be internalized, taught, lived
and held before us continually. Erroneous choices lead to a diminished even
hurtful life; correct choices result in a profitable life growing in freedom,
fullness, and satisfaction. In this instance, obedience is the option that is
not oppressive, but energizing.
Standing
within this Way of covenant living are the great Hebrew prophets. Their
task is to point out to the people, in the name of God, the community’s
failures to live in faithful obedience to God’s directives. Additionally,
they offer warnings of harmful consequences of persistent choices of gods other
than Yahweh and his Will for humanity. The prophets’ primary ministry is
to be judgmental, in the name of God.
In perfect harmony with Deuteronomy are the words of Jesus from Matthew.
It’s insufficient to God’s Way for us to merely use pious
words, such as “Lord, Lord.” Rather, in every day life one must
strive gracefully to do God’s Will. Accordingly, people truly
committed to God are called to be judgmental, to choose faithfulness instead of
the myriad of inadequate alternatives tempting us during the course of each
day. Jesus’ own genius is the simplification of God’s Way.
Instead of obeying endless regulations, procedures, and laws, Jesus focused on
but two as the Way: love of God, and love of neighbor and self. Clearly
the implementation of this Way is not always clear or easy; sometimes
circumstances permit the choice of the least of evils. Nonetheless, God’s
Will is the only rock on which authentic and fulfilled living is founded. It is
our obligation to exercise a prophetic ministry whenever we can to call corrupt
people and institutions to the life lived by Christ.
I
appreciate and support our reluctance to be judgmental in hypocritical, petty,
uninformed or mean-spirited ways. However, to choose ethical neutrality or mere
piety is to abandon one’s faithfulness and responsibility as a disciple of
Christ. Indeed, you and I are called to be judgmental: carefully, firmly and
lovingly.