As I was reading Matthew 7:1-6. I realised one truth: that Jesus didn't say we should not judge, but judge not with self-righteousness, nor totally do not try to rebuke - He taught us to avoid the extremes of judgment.
With self-righteousness (plank) in the eyes, we can't see properly although we know that there is something wrong with our fellow brother or sister. Jesus taught us to avoid using that plank to block our vision, but to remove it then deal with the speck. If we see something wrong in our family's life won't you try to remove that to bring them back? The loving thing to do is to correct them and not to let them continue wandering around in their wrongdoings, but as we correct them we should not assume the worst but give them the best benefit of doubt.
Next, we are never to be tolerant to such a point that we allow abuse (the swine) of our God-given resources (the pearl). When there is blatant sin, we are to see them as sin and do not justify that it is okay to sin. We are to stop when we discern that the swine is trampling the gifts from God and even turning around and snapping back at us. Discernment need to be based on God, not our own feelings, that's why we are to test every spirit (1 John 4:1), avoid those who claim they are Christians but continue unrepentant in their sins (1 Corinthians 5:11), and leave those who refuse to accept (Matthew 10:14, Acts 18:6).
It comes down to Jesus's teaching - not what we think is right. I used to adopt the view that since people are so sinful why bother sharing - they won't accept anyway, but that is having a plank in my eye, being overly judgmental; then I used to adopt the opposite view, that I should just keep on trying and trying and give up all my time and resources to reach out to the one or two hard-heads - isn't that the right thing to do? Then the above verses shook me up and make me realise there are those who will continue to oppose and refuse God's word - and we are not to continue with them, as there are so much harvest - yet it is balanced with the view that we should always assume the best out of anyone we meet.
That's why we have to walk closely to God and live a life that allows Him to direct our speech and wisdom. The sad truth is that God wants to save all of us, but there are some who will never accept God, yet we as humans won't know who will or will not accept God, so we are to continue to share and unless there is continuing refusals - we are to teach them the Word, and, love all no matter what is their choice.
