QUESTION: Is it right to discriminate against others churches? Would this not violate Matthew 7:1?

ANSWER: To discriminate means: “To recognize as being different.” The reason for recognizing the differences in the denominational churches is because of the significant fact that they are clearly different, not only from each other, but from the church as described in the word of God. The man-made differences between the denominations and the church of Christ are the reasons “why” they are referred to by man as denominations! Since they are man-made, it is clear they are not of God. If they are not of God, it would be sinful to say they are by describing them as “ God-approved Christian Churches.” If they are unlike, in any way, the church as described in His Word, they can be neither God-approved or Christian! Therefore, since God in His Word obviously discriminates (recognizes the differences), we, too, must discriminate (recognize the differences). People gaining membership in denominational organizations (churches other than the church of Christ ) are not in the God-approved church. Since they have not been saved by translation into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13), they, despite their denominational membership, remain in, and are of, the world. Christ “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us (members of His church; not the denominations) from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Galatians 1:4). Discrimination toward this world and worldly denominations, with love (Matthew 19:19) and honor (I Peter 2:17) toward all men, is, therefore, consistent with the will of God! For these reasons, Christians are obligated to oppose denominationalism!

Matthew 7:1-5 is often taken out of context to say that God forbids all kinds of judging and we, therefore, cannot teach against the doctrines and commandments of men (denominations). This is neither biblical nor true! This passage simply commands us not to judge unrighteously. In fact, verses fifteen through twenty tell us “beware of false prophets” and that we “shall know them by their fruits.” This kind of “judging” then is approved of by God! It is the kind of judgment Christians are commanded to do in John 7:24: “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”