Do you imagine yourself a Judge? Are you a member of a group who does?
(Written: February 2012)
The Bible very clearly and specifically teaches against our elevating ourselves as judges over others. • (Romans 2:1-2) Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are, if you judge; for in the thing in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, inasmuch as you that judge practice the same things. 2 Now we know that the judgment of God is, in accord with truth, against those who practice such things. • (Romans 14:3-4) Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating, and let the one not eating not judge the one eating, for God has welcomed that one. 4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God can make him stand. • (1 Cor 4:1-5) Let a man so appraise us as being subordinates of Christ and stewards of sacred secrets of God. 2 Besides, in this case, what is looked for in stewards is for a man to be found faithful. 3 Now to me it is a very trivial matter that I should be examined by YOU or by a human tribunal. Even I do not examine myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself. Yet by this I am not proved righteous, but he that examines me is( יהוה is God's Hebrew Name). 5 Hence do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the secret things of darkness to light and make the counsels of the hearts manifest, and then each one will have his praise come to him from God.Jesus came to be our Judge and King: (Revelation 19:11-16) And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. ...and the name he is called is The Word of God. 15 And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (See: Acts 17:30-31 of 22-31)
Yet, at the same time the Bible identifies Jesus as our judge; Jesus himself, oddly enough, taught us he came "not to judge the world": (John 12:44-50) However, Jesus cried out and said: "He that puts faith in me puts faith, not in me [only], but in him [also] that sent me; 45 and he that beholds me beholds [also] him that sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, in order that everyone putting faith in me may not remain in the darkness. 47 But if anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I came, not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that disregards me and does not receive my sayings has one to judge him. The word that I have spoken is what will judge him in the last day; 49 because I have not spoken out of my own impulse, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a commandment as to what to tell and what to speak. 50 Also, I know that his commandment means everlasting life. Therefore the things I speak, just as the Father has told me [them], so I speak [them]". (John 3:17)We thus find that while the Bible clearly identifies Jesus as our king and judge, it also teaches Jesus came "not to judge" but to "save" the world. That seeming contradiction is clarified by Jesus when he also taught it is "the words" he spoke that renders judgment over us. (John 12:48 above) What does that mean? Simple, really: We are each one judging ourselves by how our life choices indicate we are responding to what Jesus taught. (John 3:36; John 20:31) Listening to Jesus is how we take in God's spirit; thus accepting his gift of life. (John 6:63b) That spirit then helps us have love for all our brothers and sisters in Adam. (Mat 5:43-48) More importantly, God's spirit also brings joy among all those looking to Christ as the lone source of direction for their lives. (John 13:34-35) Since the entire Bible is God's inspired word, we can have faith Jesus being our judge, and yet not himself judging us, is not a contradiction; but is God's teaching. It is a teaching we do well to understand. (John 17:3; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21)
The Bible teaches some additional "truths" that might help us glean insight into how our Judgment by the words of Christ might happen; and why saying Jesus didn't come to judge the world, and yet "his words" do judge us, is not a contradiction. [Bible prophecy, as example, is often understood only by looking back on prophetic events after they have been fulfilled. (John 20:9) We thus want to be cautions about trying to define the details of our "last days" judgment period, beyond what is clearly stated in the Bible. (Luke 21:25-28; 1 Corinthians 4:6)] Besides prophetic teachings which are sometimes difficult to understand until after they are fulfilled, the Bible clearly states many other things we can know definitively are "truth." For instance: The Bible teaches God's eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his power in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him. (2 Chronicles 16:9 ; Psalms 33:18-19) We can thus know for certain God cares for us and is watching over us. The Bible teaches the wage sin pays is death but the gift God gives is everlasting life through faith in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:23) By that we can understand why men have been dying since Adam and Eve sinned; (Romans 5:12) and, why all creation has been groaning and being in pains together until today. (Romans 8:19-21) God does not desire any to be lost, but for all to gain life. (2 Peter 3:9) Those are clearly stated Bible facts, which we can easily understand and have faith in. When God gave us free will, including the inherent ability to become his friends, (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:21-23) we can know that same gift also allows the freedom to choose bad. And, through making the bad choice to reject Christ, we bring about our own death [by our "choice" to reject God's provision for life].(Deuteronomy 30:19) Can't you see then: Christ doesn't judge us. Christ came (was sent) to offer us life. If we reject that gift, we judge ourselves! (John 8:28-30)
Why, though, does it need to be that way; why so complex...? God is perfect and unblemished, and so, He will not defile himself(and thus contaminate his Creation)by touching anything unclean. (2 Cor 6:16-18; 2 Samuel 22:31) With their rebellion in Eden, mankind made themselves both imperfect and unclean! All born since and from Adam and Eve are born with that separation from God (through our inherited imperfection) and with an inclination to do wrong; (Genesis 6:5) but, Adam's children are not necessarily wicked! (Rom 5:14) Even though we were born separated from God, God loves us and offers to help mankind; all those individuals who will listen (Heb 1:1-2; Mat 17:5) and exercise faith in Christ Jesus as the ransom sacrifice for our sins. (John 1:12) We must have faith in Christ to bridge the divide between us and God. (1 Tim 2:5) God will not touch the unclean thing, but He has made a way to help us through Christ. (Rev 7:9 & 13-17) If we willfully choose to disregard God's provision to give us back the life Adam and Eve stole from us, and thus "do choose" to remain in our unclean state, we set ourselves apart from יהוה 's help and protection a second time, this time by means of our own choice:By "our own" choice to be disobedient, we remain unclean like our first parents, but maybe even worse for us; because we have knowledge of Christ and have seen and lived in the results of mankind's sinful life state apart from 's direction... The Bible further teaches us Jesus is a channel for 's spirit. (John 6:63) Jesus often said to ones he healed: "Your faith has made you well." (Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:52; Luke 18:42) After a woman desiring to be healed (who was unclean by her illness, and thus by Jewish law should not have been out in public,) approached Jesus in the middle of a large crowd, without anyone but her and knowing what she was doing, Jesus asked who had touched him. (Mark 5:31; Mark 5:25-34) His disciples wanted to know why he would ask such a thing, as he was in the middle of a throng of people with many touching him! Why would Jesus be asking about "one" who touched him? Jesus said he knew someone touched him because he "felt power go out" of him. Jesus didn't know until he felt her draw his Fathers spirit from him by her faith! When the woman came forward and confessed she was the one, Jesus told her it was her faith that made her well. On another occasion, the Bible tells us that God's power was there for Jesus to do healing. (Luke 5:17 ; Luke 6:19)If you reflect on them, these scriptures indicate a method of salvation(a method of healing our infirmities, and finally, of giving us everlasting life); accomplished by our drawing God's Spirit from Jesus's words, based on faith in Christ as our personal savior. The woman with the flow of blood drew upon יהוה 's power to heal herself by means of her faith in Christ. (Mark 5:25-34) Hence, Christ would often say to those he healed: "Go in peace, your faith has made you well." (Luke 6:19; Mat 9:27‑30; Mat 9:22; Eph 2:8; Mark 10:52; Luke 7:50; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42; Acts 14:9; Luke 8:48 of 42‑48; John 7:37‑39; John 19:34) By having a real and living faith in Christ Jesus, as God's only means of salvation, we too can put ourselves in line to take advantage of God's spirit to help and protect us during this judgment period which Jesus promised. (Mark 13:20 of 19-20; Heb 10:36-39) Familiarity with God's word, with a focus on Christ's teachings, (Mat 17:5) seems the only scriptural way to build a saving faith.
Of course, this is not to suggest that Jesus needed the faith of anyone else to accomplish powerful works. He raised the dead and calmed the raging sea. (Matthew 8:26; Mark 5:35-42; John 11:38-44) Those acts show Jesus did not need the faith of others to accomplish his will (but always in harmony with his Father's purpose, of course). (Hebrews 10:9) Still, it seems clear יהוה has chosen to allow our own personal faith to provide "us" salvation through Jesus. (Hence, our judgment of ourselves... Hopefully, we are receiving protection during these last days we are now favored to be living through.) God thus leaves our judgment in our own hands by whether we choose to build faith in Christ. We are, in this way, being judged by the words Jesus spoke. (Romans 2:15) As we exercise faith in Jesus, 's spirit comes through that personal faith in Jesus's words; (John 6:63) God's Spirit then providing us what we need. יהוה is thus doing everything He possibly can to grant life to everyone who will simply accept that gift through their faith in His Son. Please know and really understand this: Freedom and life are gifts of God which are free for the taking, but accepting the gift of life is dependant on "our" faith: Faith based on knowledge of what the Bible teaches (faith in the words Jesus spoke). (Matthew 8:13; Matthew 9:27-29; Matthew 13:58; Matthew 14:25-31; Matthew 17:18-20; Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 1:15) Faith doesn't just happen, though. You surely note YOU must put forth effort to learn what Jesus said. We are in that way, our own judge: Our judgment is based on whether we accept and have faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ. (Romans 2:15-16) Do you really know what Jesus taught? Don't trust me or anyone else! (Mat 7:15) To know you are safe, you must be familiar with your Gospels... (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
Here is a great deception Satan has put before you! All religious organizations ignore this simple truth about our need for faith based in "our personal knowledge" of what Jesus Christ taught. Instead, they proclaim your need to become an approved member of their organization, and then, to do the works they assign in order to gain God's approval. Once you join, they want you to be at one with them as they render judgment about who is righteous and who is unworthy of life. (Mat 23:1-15; Pro 1:10-16) They want you to believe their approval (judgment) is also God's approval... The abuse by organized religion is rampant. A common sentiment among those who try to cover up or excuse the wicked among their chosen religion is: "Just look at all the 'good' and/or 'great works' our organization has done." They imagine you should just overlook the badness and harm they do because of that perceived good. By this attitude, they effectively condone the abuse of the innocent by wicked individuals in their midst. In this way, they support the pummeling of the weak by the unrighteous. (Matthew 24:48-51) All they are "really" doing is supporting wickedness behind a facade of Christianity. Our Creator, in stark contrast to their judgmental hatred, would spare a whole city of vile people (a city who sacrificed their own children to their false gods, and other such depraved badness) rather than kill 10 righteous ones along with the wicked. (Genesis 18:32-33) It would thus seem that any who spend their energies protecting judgmental religious sects, or imagine they are receiving 's protection and blessing by membership in such a group, may be missing the point of it all: Jesus is the only mediator between ourselves and his Father. (Hebrews 7:24-25) Of course, each one of us will have opportunity to defend ourselves in the light of the teachings of the Christ. It is certainly not for any imperfect humans to judge the righteousness of others who express faith in Jesus and his Father . (Mat 10:32-33 ; John 6:57; John 8:42; John 6:37-40; John 14:1) While we don't judge others, we still must peacefully defend our own faith. (1 Pet 3:15-16)It is that act of defending our faith, as we better learn for ourselves what the Bible teaches while or by our doing so, that amounts to the judgment of ourselves by our response to the words of Jesus. (John 12:48-50; Rom 2:15) Then, after all is heard, and personal decisions are made within the mind and heart of each individual to define their faith, each one stands or falls on his or her own merit. (1 Cor 4:5 of 1-5; Rom 14:4) That judgment for life is very likely tied to whether we are condemned or approved in our own conscience, (Romans 2:15) but mostly on the resultant flow of Holy Spirit from our taking in the words of Christ. Or, on the restriction of the Spirit if our conscience condemns us.
The point of all this is to recognize our need for faith, and to realize it is a very personal matter. No church or religious sect can help you! You must begin with realizing your need for God, (Hebrews 11:6) and then, to have and to manifest faith from your own knowledge of his word. Jesus said in the last days there would be conditions on the earth more terrible than ever before, (the tribulation of the last days). He said it would be so bad that unless God intervened, no flesh would be left alive. (Mark 13:8 & 13:19-21) How, though, will God intervene? How is He intervening? Apparently by using His Spirit to help upright men and women by means of their faith in the words of Christ Jesus. When? Will that day of salvation be one 24 hour day, or is it happening over an extended period? The Bible doesn't make it specifically clear to me; and what the Bible doesn't say, we don't know. If the world becomes embroiled in a nuclear war (or it rains fire from heaven), it might happen in one day; any day now it seems! (Mal 4:1-3) Not to worry, your faith in Christ can protect you. Do you believe your faith can protect you? Your answer, you do understand, "is your faith"... If it is to be an extended period, and people were being openly and visible healed, it would seem individuals might try to assert faith just for the reward: Like those who followed Jesus for the food he provided. (John 6:26-29) On the other hand, if it were gradual, persons might simply start getting healthier and finally returning to the health (Job 33:24-25) of youth; that healing based on their faith in Christ, of course. Such help from God over time might go largely unnoticed by the unrighteous, so they would make no attempt to obey God just for the sake of reward, and so continue on their path to death. (John 8:24) It would (and does) appear to the unrighteous, that the hope among those relying on Christ is foolishness. (1 Cor 1:18) The Bible doesn't give too many details so we will simply have to wait to see how our protection and salvation reveals itself. One clear thing: It is a wonderful time to be alive! All should be familiar with the scriptures cited in this webpage; so as to strengthen faith. It would be nice to remember chapter and verse to better help others, but, if you learn what the Bible teaches, faith in what it says is enough to help you. No one can take that away! (You can share this webpage, containing chapter and verse, with other people.) We need to value the Christ and his teachings, and to keep these Bible teachings fresh in mind as we take in God's Spirit by immersing ourselves in Jesus's words recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Setting ourselves up as judges of others seems the opposite of being a good neighbor: The opposite of showing love of God and neighbor. (Luke 10:25-28) Refusing to be a judge over others does not mean condoning what ever life style they may choose to embrace. Being a good neighbor means helping them know what the Bible teaches. (1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-26; Rev 21:5-8; Eph 5:1-17) The Bible provides very clear standards about what is acceptable behavior in the mind of יהוה :
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ALT) (9) You* know that unrighteous [ones] will not inherit [the] kingdom of God, do you not? Stop being led astray [fig., being deceived]; neither sexual sinners nor idolaters nor adulterers nor passive partners in male-male sex nor active partners in male-male sex (10) nor covetous [ones] nor thieves nor drunkards nor slanderers [or, abusive persons] nor swindlers will inherit [the] kingdom of God. (11) And these some of you were! _But_ you yourselves were washed [or, purified], _but_ you were sanctified, _but_ you were justified [or, declared righteous] in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [or, by] the Spirit of our God! • Did you notice the Bible says that is what some of those early Christians "were," thus indicating they had changed? You must learn for yourself what is acceptable and unacceptable (1 Tim 1:8-11; James 4:17) as defined by the Bible, and as exemplified in the law of love. (John 13:34-35; Luke 10:27) You must then make changes to live in harmony with God's Spirit and will. For some of us, it might not happen overnight; but you must sincerely do your best. Remembering God is good will help. (Heb 11:6) Knowing God is good defines that anything God says is bad, is bad; causing harm to YOU or for someone else! No exceptions...
There is another way we tend to judge others that most people don't recognize. When we expect people to respond in some certain way to our actions, that is actually our rendering judgment over them. If we give a gift, for example, and the person does not respond with the appreciation we think they should, we may think they arejudge them unloving and unkind (shallow and unappreciative). If they are friendlier with another person than they are with us, we may judge them prejudice, or respecters of men, or even mean. (James 2:1-4 - They may actually be mean, and respecters of persons, of course, but we have no right to render such judgment.) Please seriously consider: Anytime we expect others to react to our actions toward them in the way we think they ought to act, we are being judgmental toward them. Jesus illustrated this problem for us in Matthew 11:16-19: "Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other, (17) 'We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!' (18) When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, 'He has a demon in him!' (19) When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and everyone said, 'Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!' God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results." • Jesus taught us by means of this illustration: Childish individuals who display this type of judgment become fault finders. They found fault with John the Baptist and even with Jesus himself. If we have expectations about how people are going to act and they fall short of our preconceived ideas, that is a form of judgment and a display of hate. Show love for others, and accept what ever loving kindness they choose to display toward you, without any expectations. Placing our ideas of expected or acceptable behavior on others is a childish and selfish form of judgment. Religious sects are the absolute worst at doing that!
That is what the Bible says, then, about our imagining we are judges: The words spoken by Christ Jesus are and must be our only judge. But, we are not to use Christ's words to judge other people. (Mat 7:1-2) Our simple assignment from God is to listen to his son, (Mat 17:5; John 6:28-29) judge and correct our-own-selves, and then share Christ's teachings. (Acts 28:23-31Acts 17:2-4; Acts 18:5-6; Acts 20:26-27) If an individual chooses to justify their actions using Christ's name, even actions contrary to the teachings of Jesus, they are free to try and we are not their judge. Don't be deceived, however: If some person or sect judges you as worthless and even bad, it has no meaning unless you give it meaning by having faith in "them." Rather, place "your" faith in Christ! We will all beare all being judged by the words spoken by Jesus. (John 12:48) If we make the choice to disregard the teachings of Jesus in favor of pleasing men, (Mark 7:6-9) it seems unlikely we could expect God's protection during the tribulation and breakdown of this system of things. (Matthew 7:21-23) We are dependant on the protection of God's spirit for salvation through that destruction, and we can not have God's spirit if we make ourselves unclean by our practices. (John 9:31) יהוה will not touch any unclean thing, (2 Cor 6:17 of 14-18) which He would be doing if he gave his spirit to those choosing badness by refusing his gift of life in Christ.
"That is what some of you were," is a quote from 1 Corinthians 6:11 above. That scripture gives another reason for our not being judgmental of others. [We must, of course, tell and/or teach others what the Bible teaches.] We were all sinners, and to some degree, remain so even after we start trying to please our Creator through faith in His Son's teachings. (1 John 1:8-10) Becoming Christ like is a life long project that may continue into eternity. The Bible teaches that even Christ Jesus himself "'learned' obedience from the things he suffered." (Heb 5:8) We know Jesus was sinless and thus he was certainly obedient. Even that perfect and faithful son of God could still learn. So will we all; forever. (Ecc 8:17) What a wonderful and perfect hope the Bible holds out to those who love ! (Psalm 37) At the same time we are forced to recognize we are all imperfect sinners, we must also do all in our power not to be "practicers" of sin. (1 John 3:3-11) Imperfect persons sin all the time in their ignorance of how to do better. That is different from allowing ourselves to continue practicing some sin we know is wrong, with no effort on our part to do better. It is made even worse if we try to justify ourselves by teaching some vile practice is approved by God! (Rom 1:32 of 28-32) Recognizing we have all sinned, however, and that we still do so, should also help us understand why we should not judge others.
In regard to our not being judges, some will likely assert Jesus judged Satan and threw him out of heaven when Jesus was enthroned as heavenly king. (Revelation 12:7-9) That is certainly true. Jesus is appointed as king and judge of all the earth; and of heaven as well. We are not! Jesus could perfectly measure Satan by the words Jesus himself spoke, because those words were given Jesus by his Father. (John 5:30; John 8:38) As for you and I, we are just imperfect people striving to have and maintain faith in "truth." We can and should, of course, limit our association with individuals who openly defy and/or denounce the teachings of Jesus. Even then, we are in no position to judge their heart condition, as we must remember we all remain sinners. If persons openly deny/defy the teachings of the Christ, each true Christian will be able to recognize that for themselves and to avoid being misled by their teachings. (John 10:27) We would also want to limit our association with those who assert other teachings than the Bible as spiritual food. יהוה protects the righteous; (Ecclesiastes 9:1) He does not need us for that job. (2 Chron 20:17) We simply teach people what the Bible says, and they judge themselves by how they respond to Jesus's words. Some early Christians who were under inspiration to write the Bible, and were granted power to heal the sick as proof they had God's word, were also inspired by holy spirit to make judgments as to who were wicked. (Acts 5:7-11) The Bible has now been completed, and protected, and we have it in hand. Those miraculous gifts to those who were being used to write the Bible died out with them. (1 Cor 13:8 of 8-13) No imperfect person today is inspired to make additions to the Bible (produce new spiritual food), and no one is judging who is righteous. Our God given job is to learn what Jesus said, (Mark 3:31-35; John 6:28-29) apply that knowledge in our lives, and teach others what we learn: Judging the efforts and progress of others is not our job. Jesus is the one doing that by means of the words he spoke. Jesus may have powerful spirit creatures helping him, but no imperfect men are judges over others. If you cower before the judgment of some sect of men and women, is that really following Christ? Those who assert (and/or even believe) they are judges who can approve or disapprove you are trying to mislead misleading you! Such self appointed judges might even be sincere, (Luke 13:26-27; Mat 7:21-23; Titus 1:13-2:1) but they are not listening to Christ... That is my work, then, to encourage you to listen to Christ. That is 's work for us all... (John 6:28-29)
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