debunking - repudiation: the exposure of falseness or pretensions;
I do not know how many times I have heard people say; Only GOD can judge me and YOU are not GOD.
This excuse is used oftentimes when a person is trying to defend their behavior when living a lifestyle of sin.
Even well known preaches hold this opinion that judging others is wrong. I have in the past tackled this subject but lately because of current scandals in the "Church", I find it necessary to revisit the subject.
Luke 6:37 Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released.
That is very clear, is it not, do not judge!
Is the Bible, which is 100 percent accurate now contradicting itself with the following scripture? How can this be?
1 Cor 6:3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!
What is going on here, this is confusing?
My answer is simple there is no confusion, the instructions are for two different spiritual conditions of man.
My first referenced verse relates to the old man and the second verse represents the new man.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
Prior to the death burial and resurrection of Jesus we were not in a moral position to JUDGE.
The old man is dead, and the previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away!!! If you are a Christian and you keep telling yourself; I am just a sinner saved by grace, that is NOT true. That is your PAST, You use to be a sinner, but now your relationship with sin is broken. You are in the Body of Christ. It is a new day. Get that in your head please.
1 John 3:9 No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.
When anyone tells you; You ain't perfect everybody sins. This response is a way of justifying their own moral failings by trying to discredit you, especially if they are feeling convicted. DO NOT FALL INTO THAT TRAP!!! Jesus is perfect and you are in HIM. And just like a baby that grows and begins to mature so shall you be increasingly victorious as you cling to, trust in and rely on Jesus. The sinner practices sin without regret and encourages the same, we are not of that kind.
We can pass judgement because we are begotten of GOD. We are BORN AGAIN. You are not the same person anymore.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
As a young Christian I had the unfortunate experience of being part of a church that preached condemnation. Week after week I rarely heard an encouraging word, we always felt unworthy. I was a baby in Christ and I had no clue that sin no longer had dominion over me and that the Blood of Jesus has washed away all my sin, Praise His Name, Now and forevermore!!!!! I lived for some time always feeling defeated and admittedly would fall back into sin.
The spirit of condemnation is very active in many churches, it is a controlling force to keep the people under the control of manipulative leadership. Plainly speaking, preaching condemnation is spiritual abuse.
How did I obtain deliverance? I am an avid reader of the Bible and spirit filled, GOD one day during my study time, made me free. There is a major difference between being set free and made free. If you are set free it means you can again be captured. But when a person is made free then it is a done deal. When you know the truth the truth will make you free. That is why it is so very important that your read your Bible. Please read your Bible.
John 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
And yes temptations will come in every shape and form. We still carry with us daily our decaying bodies that are a product of sin. Being a Christian requires discipline, it is NOT easy, we are engaged in warfare within our very being.
1 Cor 9:27 But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]
The body we have is not saved... eventually we will get new bodies, but for right now, until Jesus comes we must keep our bodies in check.
This is how we keep our sinful bodies under our control .
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
The Lord has filled us with HIS Spirit to remain our companion forever. The Holy Spirits role in our relationship with GOD can not be over estimated. Walking by the Spirit of GOD is the only way to live victoriously. Waking by the Spirit means to listen to HIS instructions habitually. If your mind is on GOD you will be lead by HIM.
Back to the subject; "Who are we to Judge".
We are approved to pass judgement because of our position in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Our position in Christ grants us objective reasoning and judgement on issues of morality. The purpose for our new found authority is to maintain the purity and Holiness of the Church. Because without holiness no man shall see Jesus. Living above sin is to be expected of the people of GOD, it is not optional.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD of GOD. The reason you are not living above sin is because you have been taught that you will always be a sinner. If our teaching is Bible accurate then you would be taught how you can indeed live apart from sin and that you can live victoriously in Christ.
Here is a very relevant case supporting the lesson, documented in scripture:
1 Cor 5:1 IT IS actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, impurity of a sort that is condemned and does not occur even among the heathen; for a man has [his own] father's wife.
1 Cor 5:2 And you are proud and arrogant! And you ought rather to mourn (bow in sorrow and in shame) until the person who has done this [shameful] thing is removed from your fellowship and your midst.
And what is the judgement to be rendered in this case?
1 Cor 5:5 You are to deliver this man over to Satan for physical discipline [to destroy carnal lusts which prompted him to incest], that [his] spirit may [yet] be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
In situations when anyone is unrepentant, that is how we handle things.
I hope this clears up the whole - do not judge- thing. It is no longer applicable to those who are now born from above, born again!!!
Meditate on who you really are -someone the world is clueless about.
1 Cor 2:15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
1 Cor 2:16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
And for you preachers out there keep preaching the truth!!!
2 Tim 4:2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.
No you will not be popular in the earth but you will be a big hit in heaven!!!!
Do not expect a welcome wagon.
Mark 13:13 And you will be hated and detested by everybody for My name's sake, but he who patiently perseveres and endures to the end will be saved (made a partaker of the salvation by Christ, and delivered from spiritual death).
As inspired by the Holy Bible, the Living Word of GOD.
Sincerely Yours
Ormond
