This post is the conclusion (part 3) of a 3 post series. It is HIGHLY recommended that you read part 1 and part 2 before reading this post as it will give you a better foundation from the Word on God’s viewpoint of Judgment.
Paul Agrees with Jesus
In Romans 2, Paul also talks about what happens when a believer judges another while being guilty of the same sin:
Rom 2:1-11 “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.”
Judgment in the Church
In the verse below, we see Paul judging a situation in the Corinthian church without even being there or performing a “first-hand” investigation! This shows us that, when it came to sin, and especially sexual sin (now rampant in the Body), Paul was ruthless, and instructed this congregation to be ruthless as well.
1Cr 5:3-5 “For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
Reading further in 2 Corinthians, we find that the congregation actually followed through with Paul’s orders and kicked the guy out of the church! How intolerant! (sarcasm implied)
Later on, the Corinthian church welcomed the man back with open arms. They were ruthless with sin, but also quick to forgive a person, if they Truly repented. You see, their definition of “Love” (and God’s Love) contained a hatred of sin, something we are missing today in our tolerant, politically-correct churches.
No Judgment of Sin Gives the Devil an Open Door
Do you see how dangerous isolating a scripture, or taking a scripture out of context, can be? Because Christians have adopted a “Judge Not” philosophy, sin has thrived in the Body. The devil knows that he can deceive and con and steal, right in the midst of our marriages, relationships and meetings, because the Body has grown ineffective and inert. When the saints do not wear the Breastplate of Righteousness, their hearts are exposed and open before the enemy.
Accept Judgment and Rebuke
Psa 141:5 “Let the righteous strike me; [It shall be] a kindness. And let him rebuke me; [It shall be] as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it.“
Pro 9:8 “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.”
Pro 13:18 “Poverty and shame [will come] to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.”
This is a Call to the saints! We have given up too much ground! It is time for us to stop hiding behind the Fear of Man and start calling sin out in the open. Of course, we are to do this with discernment. I’m not saying that we should crush the tender-hearted, or destroy those who are barely holding on. However, when you see someone who calls themselves a brother (or sister) sitting comfortable in the midst of their sin, or (worse yet) justifying and making excuses for their sin … it’s time for Action!
Remember what James said:
James 5:19-20 “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
Isn’t that what it’s all about? Saving people from their sins?
And notice that the “sinner” in these verses is a person who has “wandered from the Truth”? …. Selah
Blessings & Peace,
Kevin Kleint
Email: kevin@honorofkings.org
For judgment – The word “judgment,” here, has been by some understood in the sense of condemnation – “The effect of my coming is to condemn the world. But this meaning does not agree with those places where Jesus says that he came not to condemn the world, John 3:17; John 12:47; John 5:45. To judge is to express an opinion in a judicial manner, and also to express any sentiment about any person or thing, John 7:24; John 5:30; Luke 8:43. The meaning here may be thus expressed: “I came to declare the condition of men; to show them their duty and danger. My coming will have this effect, that some will be reformed and saved, and some more deeply condemned.”
I was studing John 9 today and came across this Barnes commentary and was reminded of this article. I thought it was fitting that Jesus did not come to judge the world and we are not called to do so either but we are called to declare the condition of men and thus impress upon them the need for Salvation or sanctification.
Amen…Thanks for this post bro