| ( C ) HOW TO MAKE PROPER GODLY JUDGEMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------- It is at this point that I want to direct the reader to the writings of the book of Ezekiel. In the prophet of Ezekiel, the holy scriptures state; 16. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 17. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. - Ezekiel 3:16-21 ( see also Ezekiel chapter 33 ) Within the book of Ezekiel, God shows a responsibility of giving warnings. A responsibility which, in order to be done properly requires the ability to make true and righteous judgement. A person incapable of making proper judgement is a person incapable of providing proper warning. Moreover, take note of what God does not say in His instruction, God never says or authorizes judgement of either the sinner and the righteous person who choose to sin and work iniquity. Therefore, Christians have a boundary that our God does not allow us to cross, a boundary of warning. Christians can warn sinners of sin and its’ consequence of death and condemnation, eternal hellfire. Christians can warn other Christians who choose to sin and do work of iniquity. But in each situation, we as Christians can never condemn either the sinner or backsliding Christian. God alone is the one person who has the power and authority to condemn an individual. Therefore, as Jesus instructed in Lukes’ gospel, the Christian is not allowed to make a condemnatory or unforgiving judgement of other people. We can warn sinners and backsliding Christians, we can never condemn such people. In doing so, the Christian is acting in the merciful manner which Jesus commands in Luke 6 verse 36. By following Gods’ command for providing warning, as instructed in the book of Ezekiel, the Christian is able to make judgement without condemnation, or unforgiveness or hypocrisy. The unfortunate reality of our present day and age is that even when discerning Christians do give warning to people regarding sin and its’ consequence of death, people in general receive the warnings as a condemnation. In the book of Ezekiel, when God gives command to provide warning, the scriptures continue to speak of making judgement; 4. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 5. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, - Ezek. 18:4-5 8. He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, 9. Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God. - Ezek. 18:8-9 Christians should also make use of the resposibility to judge by judging themselves. It is a constant self examination in which we can see whether or not our lives properly reflect the sound doctrine and spiritual teaching of Gods’ Word; 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. - 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 The means whereby the Christian is able to make true and righteous judgement and proper spiritual discernment is by knowing Gods’ Word. Because, knowing Gods’ Word will develop a mindset which is in agreement rather than opposition to Gods’ righteous ways and thereby we obtain Gods’ approval; 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 1 Timothy 2:15 This is necessary because without God, mankind by his inherent sinful nature is corrupt, wicked and vain; 1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. - Psalms 14:1-3 ( see also Psalms 53 and Romans 3 ) 5. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. - Psalms 39:5 9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? - Jere. 17:9 Therefore, our sinful nature corrupts and distorts our hearts and minds which consequently leads to death; 12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. - Prov. 14:12 ( see also Proverbs 16:25 ) This pattern of corrupt and deadly thinking hinders the ability for mankind to make the true and righteous judgement which God, who Himself is True and Righteous ( Psalms 71:19 / Zechariah 8:8 / Psalms 23:3 / Jeremiah 23:5-6 / John 17:17 / 1 John 5:20 / Revelation 16:7; 19:1-2 ), requires. Therefore, holy scripture requires the ongoing and constant renewing of the Christian mind in order to maintain proper discernment and righteous judgement; 1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:1-2 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. - Hebrews 5:13-14 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; - 2 Cor. 10:5 In conclusion, judgement is the Christian resposibility. We must make judgement because our God Himself does so and thus requires His children to do the same by following His righteous and true example of making judgement. Consequently, true and righteous judgement will hinder evil, wickedness and oppression in our lives and the lives of others and thus be pleasing to God. ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| n8usa@yahoo.com - Roger A - Gods' Command B - Judge Not C - Godly Judgement |