Judge
I’ve known a few judges over the years. They are decent and honorable men. I’ve heard of judges who were corrupt and dishonest. People who serve as judges hold a good bit of power over others. They have the authority to pronounce someone guilty or innocent based upon the facts of the case before them.
I’ve also seen fellow believers assume the role of judge. They tell others what is right and what is wrong. They judge behavior, but they also judge motive. I believe this to be very dangerous for believers. Check this out…
1 God, we thank you; we thank you because you are near. We tell about the miracles you do. 2 You say, “I set the time for trial, and I will judge fairly. 3 The earth with all its people may shake, but I am the one who holds it steady. 6 No one from the east or the west or the desert can judge you. 7 God is the judge; he judges one person as guilty and another as innocent. (Psalm 75:1-3; 6-7 NCV)Jesus speaks against judging other people. I don’t believe it’s judging someone when you simply note a characteristic of their behavior. For example, if I’ve got a brother who curses regularly and I call him out, I’m not judging him, I’m holding him accountable for a behavior. If I tell others that he obviously can’t be a Christian and talk like that, then I’ve just passed judgment. I also must be careful to pass judgment on motive. Only God really knows a person’s heart. God is the only One Who knows my heart and He’s the only One Who knows my motives. Therefore, He is the only One capable of passing judgment.
I don’t think I would make a good judge anyway. When I watch a trial, I get bogged down in procedures and case law. It’s way more complicated than it seems. I’m thankful that I know the Lawgiver and Judge and because of Grace I’m “Not Guilty”.
Pressing On! Dwayne
HI DEWAYNE,
I TO HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THIS JUDGING PEOPLE. IT IS MORE THAN I CAN DO TO JUDGE MYSELF JUST TO KEEP ME STRAIGHTENED OUT. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT JUDGING OTHERS AND IT SEEMS TO MANY WHO ARE CHRISTIANS LET THIS GET AWAY FROM THEM. THIS IS WHY YOU’LL SEEE SO MANY JUDGING OTHERS WHILE THEY THEMSELVES ARE TERRIBLE ABOUT THIS. I ALSO AGREE WITH YOU ONLY GOD WILL ALLOW THIS IF ASKED IN JESUS NAME. JESUS CAN FORGIVE AND ONLY THROUGH HIS NAME CAN WE OBTAIN THIS FROM GOD. NO ELDER OR PRIEST CAN GET THIS FOR US. ONLY JESUS CHRIST! EVERYONE WOULD DO WELL TO REMEMBER THIS TOO! GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU DEWAYNE. THIS IS WHY I STOPPED COMING TO CHURCH. I STILL TAKE COMMUNION AT HOME AND LEARN FROM TEACHING FROM TV. ACTUALLY ALOT MORE THAN JUST BEING TOLD WHAT TO BELIEVE BY SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO SAY ONLY CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BIBLE OR PARTS CHANGED TO SUIT CERTAIN PEOPLE OVER TIME. I ALSO AM LEARNING QUITE ALOT FROM HISTORY.A SCHOLARS WHO CAN TRANSLATE FROM HEBREW AND GREEK INTO ENGLISH CAN HELP FILL IN WHERE SOMETHING IS ADDED, MISQUOTED, UNWRITTEN, OR WRONG AND ETC. THIS REALLY HELPS.
SINCERELY,
WAYNE
Well said Wayne. I’m simply learning more about the Grace of God. I feel like I’ve been taught about coming to Christ, but not how to live in Christ. I’m learning that I could never do enough to earn my salvation, but God did enough through Jesus.
I hope you’ll keep pursuing the heart of God every day! That’s all I know to do. I’m digging into His Word to learn more of Him. Thanks for your response.
Dwayne