One of the hardest subjects to talk about is judging. It feels dirty just saying the word doesn’t it. As Christ-followers it is particularly hard. Why? Partially because it is something that has been misused in the past and partially because we have a way of living that is an affront to our current culture. Scripture actually teaches that we’ll be hated just because we look like and have a relationship with Jesus. (John 17:14) When our sin becomes apparent we become uncomfortable. Unfortunately we also deal with a reputation born from others who claim Christ but don’t follow his teachings on the subject.
While it’s hard scripture teaches us that as Christ-followers it is a command. With something so touchy though how do we do it? Below are the main points from our lesson this week with additional scriptures for many of the points. I hope that you’ll take time to study more concerning this subject on your own and feel free to contact me with any questions.
For anybody stumbling across this blog and already getting ticked off about the subject matter ( There will be somebody ) let me tell you the secret to why we are called to judge (this will also be a good reminder for everybody else.)
To judge is to love. Yeah I know that sounds contradictory. If you love someone you will have an innate desire to do everything in your power to save them from harm. That is an essential part of caring for someone. Judging is about loving. Most people confuse “judging” with condemning. We’re taught in scripture that it’s not our place to condemn. It is our place however to hold each, as Christ-followers, accountable to living life in a way that is pleasing to God. Protecting each other from the pitfalls and consequences that come from living outside of Jesus’ teaching. That’s what “judging” is all about.
————————————
Instructions, principles and standards in biblical judging
Matthew 7:6-16
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
Galatians 1:8-9
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
1 John 2:3-5
There is truth
2 Timothy 3:16-17
John 14:6
John 17:17
Titus 1:2
2 Peter 1:20-21
Sin is sin
1 John 3:4
James 1:13-15
Colossians 3:5-10
Romans 2:12
There are some that we’re supposed to judge
John 7:15-16
Matthew 7:15-27
Galatians 1:6-9
1 John 4:1-3
Matthew 18:15-17
1 Corinthians 5:3-5
There are some we aren’t supposed to judge
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
Deal with your own stuff first
Matthew 7:4-5
1 Timothy 4:11-15
Judge the way you want to be judged
Matthew 7:1-2
Romans 2:1
Luke 10:27
Don’t judge if God hasn’t spoken clearly about it
Romans 14:1
1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (this is an example of where Paul is chastising these Christians because they are letting stuff that they shouldn’t argue about divide them. In 19 he is being sarcastic in saying that of course there are things that they are disagreeing about because they have to have something to argue about and feel superior over each other. Yep, even in the first century the church was full of people who made mistakes…just like today )
Judge with grace
Galatians 6:1-2
Matthew 22:36-40
Titus 3:3-5
No comments:
Post a Comment