Christian history is littered with stories of infighting. We judge each other. We judge our politicians. We judge our neighbors. James 4:12 says, “who are you to judge your neighbor?”
You are not the judge. It’s not your job. The bible also says, “Or do you not know that the Lord’speoplewilljudgetheworld? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3. Does the bible contradict itself? How can both James 4 and 1 Corinthians 6 be true?
The difference here is that we are not to “set ourselves up above God or above others as morally authoritative.” This is wrong. However, we are to “stand on the morality revealed by God in His Law.” GOD DOES NOT NEED MORALITY POLICE. HE NEEDS GOOD EXAMPLES. Matthew 5:6, “let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Discussion Points
- How can you know if you are being judgmental or if you are doing a good job of judging right from wrong in your church?
- What is the difference?
- In what way did Jesus demonstrate the skill of speaking truth without making people feel judged?
