How often have you heard that from someone living in open, notorious sin or who approves of others who do? Here is the question, how do we remain faithful to our witness to be salt and light if we remain silent in the sins so flagrantly committed in our time out of fear that some might call us judgmental. Is a judgment and condemnation of sin (as the awful sin that it is) tantamount to a judgment and condemnation of the sinner? From what I read in the gospels, Christ never excused sin. He addressed it. He condemned it. Convicted the sinner of their sins. Forgave the sinner. And then commanded they never do it again ("go and sin no more"). He has left his Church to carry on this vital prophetic ministry. Wrong is wrong. Right is right. There is no judgment on the sinner in calling their attention to their sin and showing them their need of repentance. On the contrary, it is an act of love to point out the poison that's killing a person, as one who once drank the same or similar poison but was cured, and point them to the physician that can save them. Is there a better way? If their is I can't see it.
People quote that line like its the Gospel: judge not, lest you be judged. But don't we assume and erase the second half of that? Why shouldn't a man judge, if he DOES stand the test of being judged in return? Take a man who lives holily, in the sight and fear of God, in the sacraments and in the word, in daily devotions, in repentance, full of virtues and sanctified living, isnt he ABLE to "be judged" by his opponent? He is capable of judging, because he can withstand the unrepentant sinner whom he may judge. To judge is an important part of our lives as Christians, vital, in condemnation of sin and propagation of the holy Gospel. Not all of us can judge with the same freedom as the saint above, but to the extent that we approach being able to "be judge"d, we can judge in return. Only the worst lowest person is literally able to judge nobody, and we treat Christian saints like the lowest people.
Paul the Apostle tells us we must judge those within the Church: “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister in Christ but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.“ (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) When Jesus said: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5) The context is do not be a hypocrite and you try to help a brother or sister reform; don’t presume to try and remove a “speck” when you have a “log” in your own eye; don’t accuse a drunkard when you drink a lot too. Our Lord additionally meant forcus to be careful what measure we use, to not be harsh leat we recieve it back: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) Even Scripture is useful to correct: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) As always follow this rule in correction: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.” (Ephensians 4:15)