Articles
JUDGE--JUDGE NOT
JUDGE--JUDGE NOT..... This is a question many have found a bit confusing, I suspect. But if we listen to God's teachings we can understand and follow His instructions on this subject as well as all others. Just as we need to listen to all He says on any subject, it is important to correctly understand and use in our lives. It is true we are not to use certain types of judgement but find it necessary to use others. First, let us take note of an important Scripture Paul uses in his letter to Timothy.
"All Scripture is inspired by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE ADEQUATE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. " (2 Timothy 3:16,17) Just from this one Scripture, it's not hard to see we must use some type of judgment to follow the teaching therein. To REPROVE, CORRECT, takes a judgment of some kind. How would we know what was correct and how to make such a judgment? So, is there a specific kind of judgment we are to use?
In Jesus' teaching to the Jews on one occasion, we find these words penned by the Apostle John: " Do not judge according to appearance, BUT JUDGE WITH RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT." (John 7:24) So, as Jesus taught here, there is a 'STANDARD" for our judgement-- that standard is the Word, or Will of God. We find that by study and learning His Word, the Bible. In our case, today, we use the New Testament as our standard of law and judgement. When Jesus went back to heaven after His resurrection and forty days on earth, he promised His apostles they would be guided by the Holy Spirit (who would be sent to them) into ALL TRUTH. The TRUTH of God's Word, sent by the Holy Spirit, then becomes our standard today--that which we use in order to make judgements.
The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, made it clear Christians must use judgement to carry out the commands given by our Lord. Notice with me, in chapter 5 of this letter, something the Apostle said in dealing with sinful activity in the church there:
"But actually, I wrote you to not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not JUDGE THOSE WHO ARE WITHIN THE CHURCH?" (1 Corinthians 5:11-12)
It is obvious judgments must be made by Christians-- for reasons given to us both to save souls and to keep the church pure. We find this as part of the work of the early Christians. Remember the situation in Acts chapter 5. One of the earliest examples of church discipline. When Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, they paid with their lives. You may like to read that account in Acts 5, verses 1 through 11. Notice the results of that situation:
"And GREAT FEAR CAME UPON THE WHOLE CHURCH, and upon all who heard of these things." (Acts 5:11) God has always provided a means to keep His church (the one Jesus built) pure. Today, after the Apostles are gone, we have elders in the church who are to lead and oversee the spiritual work of the church.
The greatest work they have been given is to follow Jesus' instructions in the New Testament, spiritual guidance, and a leading part in keeping the church pure from sin.
"MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. IT IS FOR DISCIPLINE THAT YOU ENDURE; GOD DEALS WITH YOU AS WITH SONS, FOR WHAT SON IS THERE WHO HIS FATHER DOES NOT DISCIPLINE?" (Hebrews 12:5-7)
We, as Christians, have the responsibility to carry out ALL THE COMMANDS given us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Part of that is to be sure the church remains pure, and to use corrective discipline as necessary-- just as we see it was in the early church. (Acts 5; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians, etc.)
Yes, we have to make "righteous judgments" in order to fulfill our duties and responsibilities. Some are more difficult, but just as important. Let's make sure we are using the right STANDARD.
ROSS
