Someone says, “Do not judge lest ye be judged.” Another says, “You cannot judge me. The Bible says not to judge.” yet Apostle Paul says, “Do not ye judge them that are within?” 1 Cor. 5:12.
What is the consistency of the Bible concerning judging? Are we to not judge anything? Are we to judge some things? If we can judge, to what extent are we to judge? When is it appropriate to judge?
In 1 Corinthians chapter 6, another problem has come to Paul’s attention which is causing division within the assembly; lawsuits among brethren.
When a strong disagreement occurs among those of the same assembly, what is the probable outcome? A disgruntled party leaves the assembly and most likely does not return. It could become so great an issue they leave the church altogether. And, those of whom are divided might, and many will, leave the assembly with the disgruntled party. Now the assembly is much less than it should. Also, now the assembly has given the world something to talk openly about that is not good for the Kingdom of God on earth.
How are we to handle these issues?
First let us determine if, and if so, when we are to judge.
We must be knowledgeable of God’s laws and righteousness, and be truthful and righteous to ourselves and before others. We must have gained their respect to have the wisdom to handle most issues. We must not be guilty of that with which we judge others. Thus, this judgment within the assembly is of the type of the disciplinary judgment to which Christians subject the conduct of their fellows, passing censure upon them as the facts require. (1 Cor. 5:12) Therefore, conflicts will occur and wise men–believers–have the authority to censor members with facts proven to be contrary to the will of God.
Let us turn to Romans chapter 1. Let us see what it is that is causing the conflicts among men.
Vs. 18. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Those who do not know the truth but impose and hold their opinion against others are distorting The Truth–false Christians
God’s wrath is placed upon mankind due to ungodliness and because of unrighteous men distorting the truth into unrighteousness; even if sincerely
Unrighteousness is still unrighteousness even if democratically the majority deem it truth and righteous
Let us consider those which we see in assemblies called Christian churches. We know the world acts like this. Vss. 28-32. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Apostle Paul speaks to Corinth concerning their divisions and of those things causing division; many of these iniquities are the root cause.even today; the attitudes and characters of men have not changed.
It is because of overbearing people who do not know all the righteousness of God who bind upon others their opinions; they are ignorant of the truth and do not know they are
The root cause of the contentions is found in Romans 2:1-3.
2 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
The one judging is guilty of the same. How can one guilty judge another righteously?
The accused will say you are a hypocrite. And, they very well may be correct.
The Apostle Paul said those inside the assembly are to judge those inside the assembly. Some men will say only the leaders of the congregation have that right because they were appointed to do so. Let us ask ourselves, who appointed these leaders, man or God? Often men appoint others to lead because they are, in the assembly's opinion, the best they have to offer as leaders; or, it is the only ones who desire to lead. Paul did not say that the leaders are the ones to judge. We do not know who sent a message to Apostle Paul concerning these issues they desired him to address, but it could have been any member; not just a leader. And, Paul says to use the least esteemed of the assembly to sit on the jury, if you will.
Because of contentions over apparent trivial matters, one brother goes to law in the public court against another. This has the potential to cause great destruction to the assembly at Corinth as well as for the kingdom, the church, the bride of Christ.
Let us read what Paul wrote concerning this issue. 1 Cor. 6:1-8. 6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
We see the situation; a brother goes to law against another brother at a public court–the unjust; non-believers. Again he mentions judgment by the saints and of whom they shall judge; Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? Jude 1:14-15. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. This is the current action of the Spirit World for God influencing mankind of the truth for them to choose righteousness or unrighteousness. (Rev. 6:2)
If the saints have the authority to judge the world, even angels, can we not take care of trivial matters within the assembly? We do have the authority to take care of such matters inside the assembly.
Are we to not judge anything? Are we to judge some things? Apostle Paul says we have the authorization by God to judge.
To what extent are we to judge? When is it appropriate to judge? We are to judge the things within the members of the assembly to the extent to correct false teachings, to address sinfulness which could destroy a soul in eternal hell, etc. it is appropriate to do so while the person has the opportunity to correct their wrong behavior and it is not eternally too late. They erring sinners must have time to repent and confess their sin to be forgiven and brought back into the fold.
How must we approach this?
Place those ‘who are least esteemed in the church’ to decide these matters. God does not want anyone to be looked upon as great or domineering their position over the lot. This also allows the least esteemed to become useful in the kingdom.
Let us consider this passage: Matthew 18:1-4. 18 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
He who is humble shall be perhaps the least in the assembly. They do not hold any prominent position to be esteemed greater than another. Their decision will not be based upon any prejudices or bias. They shall feel they are an important part of the kingdom of God. They will have helped a fellow brother to walk justly before his fellow brethren and God.
On the other hand, with the situation, for the sake of the soul of the brother, would it not be more beneficial to take a loss? Vs. 7. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Even the one defrauded is guilty because he wishes to be the victor.
Mt. 5:38-42. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Is not this the teaching Paul is reiterating from the teachings of Jesus? Would one be better off to take a loss for sake of the soul of a weaker, lower in faith, less knowledgeable brother? Remember, it is peace of which we are to maintain.
If one suffers a loss for the sake of Christ, their reward shall be overflowing with blessings. When a brother goes to court against another brother, Paul says, “Ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”
We are to always consider a brother’s heavenly situation and be willing to suffer a loss for the sake of the kingdom.
In situations of ignorance which causes division, great care is to be taken to resolve the issue and should be taken care of within the assembly by knowledgeable members who can instruct using scripture to confirm the truth. If the disgruntled one chooses to leave, the members did what they could. Now it is up to God to work his will upon the one in error.
We should never air out our dirty laundry before unbelievers to give them reason to stain the virtue of the Lord’s bride, the church.
Many are guilty of this and we may have been guilty at one time as well. Let us reconsider our behavior before unbelievers.
