Subject: Guidelines on rebuking |
Bible Note: It is not a matter of discernment I speak about. I speak directly concerning judgement leading to condemnation. I'm well aware of the passages you've noted. Keep in mind the contexts and meanings. Most of your examples are in reference to examination. This I do not disagree with. We should judge (examine) things and judge (determine) what we should do about them after careful judgement (discernment) of the options in the matter. We should not, however, pass judgement (determine guilt) on others. We will some day judge both the world and the angels (determine guilt), but we are not yet standing before the judgement seat in new and perfected bodies, glorified and in the image of the ascended Christ, that we might pass said judgements. The Corinthians were taking each other to court over trivial matters. Rather than this, it was a better resolution to solve the dispute internally, judging (discerning) the matter amongst brothers in Christ instead of before secular magistrates, thus judging (determining a resolution) in the matter. It's fair to contend that a person that is not saved is not yet a "brother," but we must be ever mindful that God is willing that none should perish, but that all should come to repentence. (2 Pet 3:9) To say that "it is necessary to discern dogs and swine from one's own brethren" is not really a matter of judgment. Such a thing is readily apparent when you actually confront such a person. I do not lightly choose to relagate the personna of dog or swine to anyone. That referred to me once upon a time, but God found me, cleansed me, and made me his own. Remember that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. I choose not to judge another, and it is my opinion that no person that recognizes the doctrine of the New Testament will choose to do so either. We are to love one another. It has been my experience during my younger Christian years that judgment usually required a measure of anger, hatred, envy, jealousy, or some other emotion that is contrary to the spirit of the commandment of Christ which is to love one another as he loved us. If I'm angry at someone, it is my responsibility in the spirit of love to forgive them. If I'm jealous, it is my duty to bring that thought into the obedience of Christ. When the moment comes to judge another, if all things contrary to love have been brought into obedience, I find that all I want to do is love them and show them Christ. Recognize this, that if you are guilty of any sin, you are guilty of all. (James 2:10) To judge someone else, you judge them by the law, and to do so, you have to put them under the law, and simultaneously yourself as well. If you judge (determine the guilt of) someone else when you are guilty of an equal offense, you are a hypocrite and will be judged by the same standard you judge that other person. Matt 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with what measure you mete, it will be measured to you again. This, in addition to Romans 2:1 "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things." I'm honestly not entirely sure why you contradicted me. I advised that he should pray for the person, love them, cast no judgment on them, and trust in God to bring them around. You wrote in with what seems the intention to instruct him to judge and condemn. I do not understand this. It is our goal to make disciples of all men. The world is condemned enough on its own without us passing judgment on it. God will judge the world in righteousness. Instead of wasting our time judging what is lost already, should we not instead take the time to show them love, that they might come to the truth? I promise that more people will come to Christ through love and hope than through judgment and condemnation. Please consider these things. Theo-Minor |