The image is cropped from Norman Rockwell's The Gossip. It is a funny scene where the accuser is "found out" and confronted by the accused. You must have heard it said at some point that when you point a finger at someone there are four pointing back at you. This is indeed why Jesus said, "... anyone who says 'Raca Raca' to his brother is in danger of the hell fire"(Matt. 5 :21)
One can no longer claim ignorance of the law when they have pointed a finger at another. Finger pointing shows that the pointer knows right from wrong. Imagine the one at "The Judgement" claiming to have not know "The Law" being reminded of rebuking another for failing to keep it, and therefore is judged accordingly with the "...measure they used" Ouch!
However, there is another reason why the such a person is in danger of the judgement. Harsh rebuke are usually done in the form of a "cut down". The purpose of saying another, "is of no good", is usually to elevate one's self, save self ego, at the expense of the accused . It shows they are full of pride, lack humility, and do not extend the grace to you that is offered to them. This was the teaching of Matt. 18:23-33.
Here is another consideration: to be an accuser is to be in a league with Satan:
Rev.12:9 The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Satan stands accusing the our Christian bothers and sisters day and night. Could it be he is pointing a finger at us in an attempt to gain his own absolution, and position above those of the Kingdom of God. Here is a great place to insert praise for God and Christ Jesus for the plan of grace and the cross. We would otherwise share in Satan's future.
Satan also accuses us directly. He will attempt to place guilt between us and God to hinder our relationship. Also, to hinder our prayers in an area where we might not have been so innocent. He'll tell us we have no right to pray about "that", "its just a consequence of your own sin", "you'll have to live with it". Remember that the Grace of God says, "no such thing is true, You have right standing to bring any prayer and request"
There is of course the need to correct and build up another in Love and help to keep them on the path abundant life in Christ. Sometimes this even requires "tuff love" The key is Love. Remember that "(1CO 13:4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
MT 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
MT 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 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.
One can no longer claim ignorance of the law when they have pointed a finger at another. Finger pointing shows that the pointer knows right from wrong. Imagine the one at "The Judgement" claiming to have not know "The Law" being reminded of rebuking another for failing to keep it, and therefore is judged accordingly with the "...measure they used" Ouch!
However, there is another reason why the such a person is in danger of the judgement. Harsh rebuke are usually done in the form of a "cut down". The purpose of saying another, "is of no good", is usually to elevate one's self, save self ego, at the expense of the accused . It shows they are full of pride, lack humility, and do not extend the grace to you that is offered to them. This was the teaching of Matt. 18:23-33.
Here is another consideration: to be an accuser is to be in a league with Satan:
Rev.12:9 The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Satan stands accusing the our Christian bothers and sisters day and night. Could it be he is pointing a finger at us in an attempt to gain his own absolution, and position above those of the Kingdom of God. Here is a great place to insert praise for God and Christ Jesus for the plan of grace and the cross. We would otherwise share in Satan's future.
Satan also accuses us directly. He will attempt to place guilt between us and God to hinder our relationship. Also, to hinder our prayers in an area where we might not have been so innocent. He'll tell us we have no right to pray about "that", "its just a consequence of your own sin", "you'll have to live with it". Remember that the Grace of God says, "no such thing is true, You have right standing to bring any prayer and request"
There is of course the need to correct and build up another in Love and help to keep them on the path abundant life in Christ. Sometimes this even requires "tuff love" The key is Love. Remember that "(1CO 13:4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
MT 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
MT 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 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.
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