Genesis 19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
This passage of scripture shows us how the issue of "Judging" arises in the hearts of the rebellious, whenever sin is called by its right name. In this instance, Lot was trying to protect the angels from being raped by the gay community in Sodom, and thus he went to the front door of his house to plead with them to leave the angels alone. His first words to them showed that he had not viewed them as enemies, but rather as fellow-citizens of the same city, hence the reason why he refers to them as being "Brethren". But when Lot dared to call sin by its right name, by saying "Do not so wickedly", those men who were inflamed with the vilest of passions interpreted his words as being judgmental, a claim that has echoed and re-echoed throughout history, and has resounded even in our day.
God did not send Jesus Christ into the world to condemn anyone, for His purposes to save humanity was at the top of His agenda. But in the process of salvation, the evils that have caused the great gulf between God and man must be addressed, if the relationship with our Creator is to be restored, hence the reason why sin must be identified for what it is, so that we may know from whence we have fallen, and what pitfalls to avoid in the future. Let's read:
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already".... 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
When a person is taken to the emergency room for some unknown illness, the doctor must first determine what's the cause of the problem, before the appropriate medicines can be applied. This diagnostic work which is of critical importance to the successful treatment of any disease, is never viewed as being condemnatory or even judgmental, because any rational man or woman will understand that the doctor has the best interest of his patients at heart.
Similarly with the work of God's saving grace and the work He has given His servants to do. He has not sent us to "Judge" or condemn anyone, however, in the administration of His healing grace, the issue of the cancer of sin must be addressed, before restoration and redemption can take place. Thus it was with the men of Sodom, for Lot was not "Judging" them, he was only identifying the root cause of their problems, but as it often is with those who are determined to continue in sin, violence is often resorted to, and peer pressures of various sorts, together with taunting and ridicule are often brought to bear against those who dare to identify sin for what it is.
This is the reason why financial persecution has become so rampant in our day, by which those persons and corporations who are in favor of gay marriage, and who vehemently oppose any Christian who dares to stand for the right in this matter, are often found withdrawing their monetary support and business from those who call sin by its right name. Thus, what is taking place is an echo of the very same song that was sung by the men of Sodom to Lot, who tried in vain to keep them from taking that last and fatal step into "Neverland", where the grace of God would not be able to reach the sinner.
But according to the Bible, the servants of God in our day are not to be deterred by these developments, for they are to be expected, and therefore our hearts and minds should be fortified by the word of God and by the power of His Spirit, to speak the word in season and out of season, irregardless of what the consequences may be, for God has not called us to popularity or political correctness, but to speak the truth in love, that whosoever will, may find pardon and peace with Christ, whilst probation still lingers. Let's read:
Ezekiel 2:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee"...... "to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me"... 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear"...
Let us then begin to buckle up our shoes, and take the sword of The Spirit, which is the word of God, so that every person may have ample opportunity to hear the truths for this time and repent, wherever it is warranted, because God has called us to seek and to save, as many as would be saved from sin, not in sin. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which outlines the duty of the true Christian in our day, and it is the will of God that we be found faithful to truth and duty wherever we may go. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ"... 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
He that hat an ear to hear, let him hear what The Spirit saith to the churches. "Good night' and God bless!