I just saw an interesting post about how we as Christians are supposed to walk in judgment on this world, and enforce it. The writer of the post didn't give any Biblical evidence of their stand point, just this opinion, and they spoke of how the world hates the truth of Christ, and how churches have become corrupt in their teachings, and we have been taught not to judge when we should be being taught righteous judgment, but he didn't go in to detail on righteous judgment. Now, that could be because they plan to do that in another post later, but I would like to write about it today, with scriptures to draw from.
One thing I had to agree with from this other person's post was we are taught that judging is bad, and that belief has become so common place that we now almost automatically associate judgment with condemnation but the two are truly different! To judge something is to simply determine whether it is good or bad, Christians determine good or bad by what is pleasing to the Lord, we know what things are pleasing or displeasing to our Father by reading His word and forming an intimate relationship with Him. So from this logic we are able to determine or judge whether something is right or wrong but I do not think this applies to people, only behavior. In other words, hate the sin not sinner.
Condemnation, however, refers to punishment, it is a guilty verdict and looking through the Bible I did not see where we were told we had the authority to condemn, in fact, James 4:12 says 'There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?' In this verse we do see 'judge' being used in terms closer to condemn or punish, but even here it states that the determination of whether to save or destroy is the Lord's not ours.
Now that I explained judgment and condemnation I want to go back to the main topic, righteous judgment from Christians. Can or should Christians judge others? Well, Proverbs 31:9 says 'Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.' but Matthew 7:1-2 says 'Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.' Then in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says, 'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.' the three scriptures I put here lead me back to a statement I used earlier, hate the sin not the sinner.
I don't think we are to judge people by today's perception of the word judgment or judge people at all, I don't think we have that authority, but we should try to correct them through the love of Christ and help them if they will allow us, we can judge their actions against the word and help them but we cannot condemn them for their actions. I have come to believe from my studies of the scriptures so far that it is fair to judge an action or lifestyle as ungodly or bad and I do think we have the authority to correct them, so long as we know with certainty that it is in fact wrong in God's eyes, and we correct them in a kind, loving manner. We aren't to throw stones and cut people down for their choices, and we shouldn't slander them for those choices either. We all have fallen short of the glory of God, otherwise we wouldn't have needed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
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