Dread,
What do you mean by do not judge others? I know that a majority of "religious" people are self-righteous and judge others hypocritically, criticizing and condemning people who are not just like them. But aside from this wickedness the Scriptures command us many times to judge righteously and exercise discernment; to test all things and all people, to determine who is false, to avoid those who are found to be false.
You also said,
"its true that not everyone who says they say they are and act contrary- but Christ works in all of us very differently" - do you realize that this statement goes contrary to what the apostle John declared in his first epistle? Read the book of 1 John. In this book there are various tests that he uses to determine if someone is a false Christian, based on their claims and if they are acting contrary to those claims. He says "those who say they are a Christian and act contrary are liars, deceived, and condemned." Do you see where your statement butts heads with the statements of John the apostle? You say, "it's true some people are hypocrites, but Christ works in all of us" but John says, "If you see a hypocrite who doesn't repent, he does not belong to Christ."
Look at some Scriptures with me if you will.
On Judging Others:
(John 7:24) Jesus said, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." - We have a command here to judge righteously.
(Luke 17:3) Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, rebuke him;" - Here we are charged by Christ to confront our fellow Christians when we see them fall into sin.
(Matthew 7:15-20) Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits...Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. - Jesus expects us to discern between true ministers and wolves in sheep's clothing, and also true from false disciples, knowing the difference based on their fruit.
(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person. - How are you to obey this command, to avoid someone who claims to be a Christian and yet practices immorality, unless you exercise discernment and judgment? Paul even says it is a duty to judge fellow Christians within the church, leaving the judgment of unbelievers/non-Christians outside the church solely to God.
(1 Corinthians 11:31-32) For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. - Again Paul speaks of the duty of judgment within the church. If Christians judge among themselves in the church, they will not be judged/condemned by the Lord. When we are judged by our fellow Christians, it is God chastening us so that we do not continue on in sin, lest we become condemned. Judgment within the church is for our own good
(Revelation 2:2) Jesus said, "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;" - How do you think this church could have found these false apostles to be liars if they hadn't practiced judgment & discernment?
(Romans 16:17-18) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. - How can you obey this command without exercising discernment/judgment?
1 John Tests
(1 John 1:6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. - Whoever claims to be a Christian and walks in darkness is a liar.
(1 John 2:4) He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. - Whoever claims to be a Christian and doesn't keep God's commandments is a liar.
(1 John 2:9) He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. - Whoever claims to be a Christian and hates his brother is a liar.
(1 John 3:15) Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
(1 John 2:15) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - Whoever claims to be a Christian and yet loves the world is a liar and does not have the love of God.
(1 John 3:7-8) Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. - Whoever claims to be a Christian and yet practices sin is actually a child of Satan.
(1 John 3:9-10) No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
As you can see all of these Scriptures involve exercising discernment and judgment over people who claim to be Christian and yet act contrary. According to you, we must not speak out against them. According to John/Paul, we not only must speak out, but they are false professors of faith and by all means must be warned because Scripture says they are still in their sins and going to Hell. That's the point of righteous judgment - warning with the hopes of leading someone to repentance that they may be saved. Anyone who judges for any other reason is not practicing righteous judgment.
