Judgement

I was asked if when I was talking about judging people, if I was talking about non-believers, believers, or both. While I do believe we have to treat each other (believers) with a higher level of expectation, I want to take the opportunity to try to illustrate the differences in the way we use the word judgment and what I was trying to say yesterday. This is a little lengthy, but it is a complicated point of belief for me. I believe it is a matter of balance, and remembering we are a small part of a greater plan. I do think that a lot of people are ready to judge well beyond their ability, or their right, and then there are many people who do not want to judge at all. I believe there is a difference between not agreeing with something, or someone, and rejecting it (judging); and condemning (judging) something, more importantly someone, because we do not agree with them. The word judgment is used both ways in the scripture, and I think it is an important difference.

Below are several examples of the judgment that I believe we should not take part in. What speaks to me is that we should not Judge (as in condemn) other people, that is the Lord’s job. I believe the instances below show that we should not look at anyone, and place ourselves above them…..as if to say I am right and this makes me better than you, or judge peoples worth by what they have. Lastly I think it shows that although we might know God’s word, and follow the Lord’s plan for us. We do not know his plan for everyone else. The wicked today might be one of the most righteous tomorrow (look at Paul) or the righteous today might be the wicked in the end. As a result we cannot condemn anyone. All will be judged when the time comes.


Matthew 7: 1-5
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
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? 4How 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? 5You 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.
Luke 6:
37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
James2: 2-4
2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
1 Corinthians 4:5
5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.


James 4: 1-12
11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Conversely, I do believe that we should discern right from wrong. Especially within the Church. As the readings below show, we do have to decide (judge) between right and wrong. We have to be on the look out for false prophets, the wolf in sheep’s clothing. We have to separate ourselves from the wicked. We should settle our differences among ourselves. We have to judge for ourselves and make personal choices everyday. All the time being sensitive to the fact that when we do make a judgment, especially against someone else, we will be judged by the same measure. However here again, I cannot find anywhere where Jesus has instructed us to be the judge of anyone’s soul. We might make decisions, we might judge people by their actions, but we do not know what God has in store for anyone, as a result we cannot judge (as in condemn) anyone. We can only try to show the way, then when we are rejected, we should be done with them, and treat them as a tax collector.

It is a hard thing to keep in perspective, but a very important one nonetheless. So should we judge? Yes we have to on some level, but we should not judge, nor should we allow others to judge, as if we were the Lord.


1 Corinthians 5: 12
12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."[b]


1 Corinthians 6: 4-6
4Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church![a] 5I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers!

Matthew 18: 15-1715"If your brother sins against you,[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[c] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Peace
Rev. T