I found a new blog I am absolutely obsessed with now...thanks to Jennifer!!!
http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/
CHECK IT OUT!!! LOVE IT!
3.21.2011
3.10.2011
Judgment
Several times in the past month or two the subject of "judgment" has come up in my life. It came up on facebook, with my boyfriend, and at zumba of all places...
So, I ask myself, and God...what role do Christians have in judging and/or holding each other accountable, and are we to hold non-Christians to the same standards?
The following is what I deduce from the little bit of Biblical research I have done today. I don't feel comfortable AT ALL saying that my opinions are 100% correct so I am open to discussing what others think, however I would ask for you to back up your opinion with evidence, not just what you THINK should be right.
Judgment...Deuteronomy repeats, many times to "purge the evil from among you." This IS under the old law so I do not think that we are to stone anybody (21:21), or put anyone to death. I do believe that the sin itself must be put to death.
In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul speaks of sexual immorality WITHIN the fellowship. He says that TOLERANCE is NOT appropriate and that behavior would not even be appropriate among the pagans. I urge you to click on the link and read it for yourself since I am not quoting it in it's entirety here.
He says that we should not associate with those who CLAIM to be a brother or sister and continue in sinful behavior knowingly. We are not to associate with them, or to even eat with them. IN MY OPINION...by doing this we are NOT judging them...we are keeping the body healthy, just as if we were to expel a virus or infection from our physical body.
He says, "hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."(1 Corinthians 5:5) WOW! Makes me want to mind my P's and Q's for sure!!!
So...that also brings me to my second question...Are we to hold non-Christians to the same standard?
In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 it says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked person from among you.'”
The word "wicked" is defined, "evil or morally bad in principle or practice; playfully malicious." This is to say that in verse 13, the wicked he refers to are the people who are KNOWINGLY doing what is wrong. It means we have already gone through the steps spoken of in Matthew 18:15-17, they are aware of their sin and if they continue in it, are not healthy for themselves or for the body of believers. They bring in illness.
I cannot finish this without saying that our God is a gracious God. He came so that our sins can be forgive and so we are called to do the same! I am so thankful for that gift and though I find it hard to forgive at times I am called to it! Luke 17:3-4, "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Don't forget that part!
There are many other places in Scripture that speaks to this topic. For the sake of this blog and the time I had before going to work today, I had to narrow it down. So, I am sure there is much more I could have covered but that is it in a nutshell. I hope it is glorifying to my God! BLESSINGS!
So, I ask myself, and God...what role do Christians have in judging and/or holding each other accountable, and are we to hold non-Christians to the same standards?
The following is what I deduce from the little bit of Biblical research I have done today. I don't feel comfortable AT ALL saying that my opinions are 100% correct so I am open to discussing what others think, however I would ask for you to back up your opinion with evidence, not just what you THINK should be right.
Judgment...Deuteronomy repeats, many times to "purge the evil from among you." This IS under the old law so I do not think that we are to stone anybody (21:21), or put anyone to death. I do believe that the sin itself must be put to death.
In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul speaks of sexual immorality WITHIN the fellowship. He says that TOLERANCE is NOT appropriate and that behavior would not even be appropriate among the pagans. I urge you to click on the link and read it for yourself since I am not quoting it in it's entirety here.
He says that we should not associate with those who CLAIM to be a brother or sister and continue in sinful behavior knowingly. We are not to associate with them, or to even eat with them. IN MY OPINION...by doing this we are NOT judging them...we are keeping the body healthy, just as if we were to expel a virus or infection from our physical body.
He says, "hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."(1 Corinthians 5:5) WOW! Makes me want to mind my P's and Q's for sure!!!
So...that also brings me to my second question...Are we to hold non-Christians to the same standard?
In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 it says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked person from among you.'”
The word "wicked" is defined, "evil or morally bad in principle or practice; playfully malicious." This is to say that in verse 13, the wicked he refers to are the people who are KNOWINGLY doing what is wrong. It means we have already gone through the steps spoken of in Matthew 18:15-17, they are aware of their sin and if they continue in it, are not healthy for themselves or for the body of believers. They bring in illness.
I cannot finish this without saying that our God is a gracious God. He came so that our sins can be forgive and so we are called to do the same! I am so thankful for that gift and though I find it hard to forgive at times I am called to it! Luke 17:3-4, "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Don't forget that part!
There are many other places in Scripture that speaks to this topic. For the sake of this blog and the time I had before going to work today, I had to narrow it down. So, I am sure there is much more I could have covered but that is it in a nutshell. I hope it is glorifying to my God! BLESSINGS!
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