The duties and privilege of believers regarding spiritual judgment and “judging others” are in view, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Frosty524” (Level 3 with 2,154 points, a member since September 7, 2006) posted the following:
Christians why do you judge others when jesus said not to?
THE BATTLE AXE: By Grace (09/04/2012)—Given that the most familiar device used in the Scriptures to clarify the truth of divine grace is the comparison of “salvation through the free gift of grace” against “salvation earned through obedience to law, and good works”, the places of grace and mercy often appear interchangeable. Perhaps, more correctly, we may say: Just as by grace through faith we are saved (Ephesians 2: 8), only by grace revealed through righteous judgment do we obtain mercy.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. (Luke 12: 56-58)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: By Grace; Sin Without Wrongdoing? (08/28/2012); Does GOD Need Worship? (03/23/2012); Coveting The Throne (03/07/2012); Be Angry And Sin Not (03/03/2012)
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. (John 8: 15-16)
No one likes to be publicly embarrassed and reprimanded for their own negative attitude, destructive behavior, and malicious conduct. Thus, again and again, we see the police condemned, insulted, and accused of bullying when they challenge someone who is in error because they are ignorant of the law, or who feels they have a right to deliberately disrespect, oppress and threaten others. What right have the police to judge? Correctly understood, the police and law enforcement are important representations of a community in contract, and are vital to balanced, complete judgment. Those attacking and refusing to cooperate with the police may not be labeled as showing the genuine spirit of the community, or as having a correct awareness of the prevailing need for law and order.
Similarly, believers in Christ are a community in covenant, and require the detection, correction and removal of destructive attitudes, behavior, conflicts and beliefs generated by those within who operate as transgressors. Judgment—the process of examining ones own or another’s commitment, doctrines, practices, etc. against standards given from GOD as faith, law, Bible truth, the Gospel, sacrament, and the imparted Spirit—is not forbidden by Jesus, nor is judgment among believers labeled as “sin”. As in civil and social living, the primary demand for legitimate spiritual judgment is that there be righteousness: there must be a clear and complete presentation of the “facts” and evidence; the accused should be present and willingly cooperate with the process; those who comprise the court (judge, defenders, prosecutors) must be impartial, knowledgeable, mature, and thorough. The confidence of one who warns or witnesses as an agent of divine judgment derives from the truth that they have been sent, and the judgment is not their own, but the Lord’s.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, judgment among the people of GOD is always welcome, and regarded as blessing since judgment is the resolution of conflict, and the settlement of disputes. As the result of sin, defilement, disobedience, rebellion and an antichrist spirit may characterize a person’s inner nature. Human will is not coerced or forced by the presence of divine substance within human makeup. To the contrary, human will is coerced and forced by sin. Sin may dominate the will of created beings and living creatures, however sin does not possess identity and person, dimension, or spirit content. Sin opposes the existence of divine law, existence of the Divine Lawgiver, and the existence of all that is.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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