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Home Search Topics Contact About | Judge Not?Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged. John 7:24: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. So which is it? Judge or judge not? There are many definitions for the word judge in those two passages. Distinguish, decide, decree, determine, esteem, ordain, call in question, conclude, think, condemn, punish, avenge, damn, and sentence to are some of them. Condemn, punish, sentence to, avenge, and damn are appropriate for God and for governments. Judges in our legal system should examine the evidence so that they can administer justice, which may include punishment. Distinguish, decide, decree, determine, esteem, ordain, call in question, conclude and think are appropriate for men. Christians should examine all the evidence that they can to determine what people need, what their relationship is with the Lord and what their relationship should be with them. If the evidence says that a person is lost they need mercy. They need someone to pray for them and someone to share the gospel with them. If the evidence says that the person is saved they should encourage him, fellowship with him and pray for him. 2 Corinthians 6:14: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Ephesians 5:11: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. A Christian could not obey these instructions without finding out which people are unbelievers. Reprove means: confute, admonish, convict, convince, tell a fault or rebuke. Christians* motivation should not be punishment but convincing unbelievers to seek mercy, to receive Christ. Reproof can feel like punishment and hatred even if it is done out of love. Love wants what is best for the loved one. That requires examination of the evidence to determine what individuals need from the Lord. Before I received Christ it didn*t feel to me like those who told me I needed Jesus loved me. Sometimes it hurt. It felt like criticism. It felt like judgment. But they DID love me. Are you willing to be a pain to unbelievers until they come to Christ? Love is willing to be a pain. |
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