Famous Hong Kong-Canadian theologian Dr. Milton WAN Wai-yiu溫偉耀 (Ph.D. in Theology, Cambridge U), in a 2019-12-15 sermon delivered in North Point Alliance Church, preached that during the recent months' resistance, Hongkongers have developed emotions of resentment and anger, and behaviors of cursing and insulting. Citing Malachi 3:13-15, Wan warned the congregation not to hurl abuses at people, not to take sides, not to judge, but to view things from God's perspective. Or else they will make the same mistake made by the Israelites "who spoke against God".But Malachi 3 is really just a/st believers' speculative mentality; God actually expects us to judge while Jesus only warns a/st hypocritical judging.
Malachi 3 is in fact a/st Speculative Mentality
In reality, Malachi 3: 13-15 mainly refers to the incorrect religious mentality of the Israelites who wanted immediate reward. The Israelites spoke against God in embodying a customer's speculative mentality, thinking that in exchange for fearing God, they would be given a rich life. "What have we spoken so much against thee?" the Israelites asked (Malachi 3:13). "Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?" God replied (Malachi 3:14). The Israelites were NOT reprimanded by God for slamming evildoers! (Actually, Wan himself said so in an earlier sermon delivered in December 2018.) By the same token, Hong Kong dissidents have committed no sin in condemning anti-Christ authorities and brutal police.
God doesn't Care who's pro-CCP, who's anti-CCP?
Wan went on to quote Malachi 3:16 and warn the congregation not to curse or insult, because God monitors believers' words and keeps "a book of remembrance" that records every sentence, every thing, every thought of people. Wan emphasized that God will not distinguish who is pro-CCP and who is anti-CCP, that he only cares who serves Him and who "serveth Him not"; who fears Him and who fears Him not. Therefore, believers "should not play God" and should not judge who is right and who is wrong, what is true, and what is false.
Jesus Warns Against Hypocritical Judging only
No doubt, Jesus warned, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged...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). But here Jesus is just cautioning us to not judge others in a hypocritical way. He is telling us to take the log out of our own eye so that we can help the other person.
God Expects us to Judge!
This verse does not mean that we should never make judgments. In fact, God expects us to judge. "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment." (Psa. 37:30) "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate" (Amos 5:14-15). Paul actually REBUKES the Corinthians for NOT judging: "Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?" (I Cor. 6:1-5)
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