We lived a life of non-stop judgment

Scripture tells us not to judge each other (Matt 7:1, Rom 14:3, I Cor 4:3).

But at MCF we lived a life of being judged about everything.

There was no grey. There was no letting us find out ourselves through prayer and circumstance. We were told.

Scripture tells us not to concern ourselves – or burden others – with ‘disputable matters’. Like disputable decisions about foods and religious holidays for example.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters . . . 

 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? . . .

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Romans 14:1-16

If these things about foods and religious holidays are ‘disputable matters’, then how much more is it disputable whether or not I start a Bible study? Or a business? Or apply for a job? Or go to live in Sydney?

But at MCF, these were not disputable. If your elder said it, we were taught they were the ‘face of Christ’ and we did it.

When I wasn’t going to obey the ‘advice’ one time, Laurie Holland, a top member of the presbytery grabbed my arm before the communion meeting and told me I was going to hell if I didn’t obey David Bonham, quoting Proverbs:

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 14:12

So I obeyed.

And gradually died inside for the next 20 years.