Romans 2:1-4 :
Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things. We know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
A person who practices sin is in no position to judge another sinner. We see this quite often in our world today. Many people call Christians “Hypocrites,” while being hypocrites themselves. They are not qualified to point out the sin in Christians because they themselves are sinning too. Why do they care if the Christian is sinning? It is obvious, at this point, that saying something like that is just an excuse to not pay attention to God’s words in the Bible that point out the problem to everyone including Christians.
It’s important to be clear, here that Paul isn’t saying that we shouldn’t point out sins that we see. Pointing out sins that people have and standing in judgment over someone are different things. We are not qualified to stand in judgment over anyone because we, ourselves, have been given God’s mercy. We had to have a change of mind and come to God. We can point out that others are in danger, however. If God was saying that we should never point out sin, then Paul wouldn’t be able to write these words to us in this letter.
I have always had trouble with people who enjoy watching criminals get punished, especially after those criminals found God’s forgiveness. God sees our sins as punishable by death and Hell too and we were forgiven when we asked Him. When we treat someone lower than God does, we make ourselves the judge instead of God. Why would we despise God’s goodness in their case? This reminds me of the story of Jonah. Jonah was unhappy with God because He forgave the sinful people of Nineveh. We have no excuse to do a thing like that either.