Judging the Law

     We've all heard the line, "Who do you think you are to judge me?"  And:  "Your Bible says that you can't judge me!"    Is that true?  Are we told, in the Bible that we are not supposed to judge anyone - ever?  In our day, the only non-relative value is tolerance; the only non-relative wrong,  judgement. 

     No one likes to hear about judgement:  it makes us feel guilty because we know that deep down, we ARE, about SOMETHING.  Many people, who do not believe,  deny or even hate Christ because they associate Him and Christianity with the concept of eventual judgement and accountability. 

     So let's examine this issue of judgement in the Bible.  Mind you, this is by no means an exhaustive study, but it will hit on some of the main Scriptures on the subject.  For those who don't believe that the Bible is God's definitive message to us,  try to at least read this with an open mind and temporarily suspend disbelief until you (who may not have read the Bible for yourself or read these references before this) have "heard me out."  (Of course, this assumes that anyone at ALL will read this post to whom this may apply.)

     First of all,  the Old Testament speaks often of judgement coming and God being the judge of all.
           1 Sam. 3:13 - Personal judgement of the family of Eli.
           Ps. 1:5 - Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement (referring to following death).
           Joel 3:12 - "...There I will sit to judge the nations on every side." (prophetic voice of God speaking)
           Jeremiah 25:31 - "[God] will bring charges against the nations, he will bring judgment on all mankind..."
    
     And from the New Testament, a few highlights:
           Matt. 11:24 - "But I tell you (Jesus, speaking to Capernaum, where often preached) that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." (implying an ultimate day of reckoning).
           John 5:22, 23 - "Moreover, the Father judges NO ONE, but has entrusted ALL JUDGMENT to the SON,  that all may honor the Son just as they honor the FATHER. He who does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father who sent Him.
           John 5:27 - "And [God] has given [Jesus] authority to judge because He is the Son of Man."
           Heb. 9:27 - "Just as man is destined to die once and after that to face judgment"
           Rev. 20:12 - "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books."

      OK, so three things we have learned here so far:
            1) There will be an ultimate judgment.
            2)  Each person dies and is judged.     .
            3)  Jesus is the ultimate judge.

       Now,  that is one kind of judgment.  God is the ultimate judge (in Christ).  But what about us
 judging one another?  What does the Bible say about that?  Let's check that out. 
    
       Matt. 7:1-2 - Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  (This is the verse everyone seems to know and is referred to at the top of this post.)

       1 Cor. 4:5 - "Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

       James 4:12 - There is only one lawgiver and judge - the One who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?

       Gal. 5:14-15 - "The entire law is summed up in a single command:  Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

       1 Cor. 5:12 - "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?   Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside."

       1 John 4:1 - Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

      In summary here:

     1)  We are not to judge others because we do not know their hearts or motives. The way we judge others is the measure of the way we will be judged by God.
     2)  God will ultimately judge;  He knows people's hearts and motives and will rightly judge everyone, so we don't have to.
     3)  We should focus on loving one another. Backbiting is of no value and destroys/ plays into Satan's wishes and tactics. 
     4)  We are to test (judge / discern) the spirits of what people say to see if they are of God or not. (See 1 Jn. 4 to find out how). Not all are, even those who say they are. Satan acts as an "Angel of Light" to deceive, kill and destroy).  So we need to practice discernment and wisdom!

      When someone says to you, "You can't judge me!" (for whatever it is, whether an immoral lifestyle or something else,  we learn here that we in fact should not judge those outside the family of God.  God will do that.  Inside the family,  we need to avoid arguing, be gentle with, instruct, pray for, and when in conflict follow the instructions given by Jesus in Matthew 18: 15-17.  

      If the person saying this to you is not a believer, as is often the case,  the irony is that in many if not most cases,  they are judging you, which may also be pointed out.  Funny (not really) how those who preach the loudest about tolerance and nonjudgmentalism can yell the loudest and be the most intolerant and judgmental when it comes to those with whom they disagree.

     Don't worry about them.  Just pray for their spiritual eyes to be opened - they are deceived.  Pray for God's Spirit to reach them with His love, and try not to argue, especially when you realize that they are not listening and do not "have ears to hear," as Jesus said.  When they accuse you, don't fire back, just step back and pray.