What We Are to Judge.

In affirming God as judge, the Scripture also limits those ways in which human beings are to judge others. A number of passages help us understand the limitations. Mt 7:1-2; Lk 6:37-38. The verses in Matthew record Jesus' warning as follows: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." The thought is that we must not assume the right to condemn others. Luke adds, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven." The faults of others are to occasion forgiveness, not condemnation. Ro 2:1-3. Paul speaks passionately of passing judgment on others. He warns, "At whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself" (v. 1). To pass judgment implies the assumption of a moral superiority that we simply do not possess. We are all sinners; no human being is able to judge others without becoming vulnerable to the same judgment. Ro 14:1-18. Paul looks at convictions in the Christian community. Then, as today, believers differed about what was right to eat or drink or do. While each person should develop his or her own convictions and live by them, no one has the right to look down on or condemn a brother or sister for his or her practices. Paul says we must see Jesus as sole Lord and each other as his servants. So each believer is responsible to the Lord, not to the conscience of other Christians. Paul does appeal for unity. But Christian unity is based on (1) the freedom of each individual to be responsible to Jesus, (2) a nonjudgmental approach to differences of conviction, and (3) a willingness to consider others when deciding whether or not to use one's freedom to follow one's own convictions. 1 Co 4:3-5. Paul himself was being judged by believers in Corinth. He wrote, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court" (v. 3). The word here is anakrino, which refers to undertaking an investigative process that is intended to lead to a verdict. Paul rejected the right of the Corinthians to convene such a court or call his faithfulness as Jesus' servant into question. Paul, though his conscience was clear, was not even competent to judge himself and his possibly hidden motives. What were Paul's conclusions? "It is the Lord who judges me," he said; "therefore judge nothing before the appointed time: wait till the Lord comes" (vv. 4-5). 1 Co 5:12. Paul taught the Corinthians not to relate to non-Christians in a judgmental way. Their sins might be many, but it is not the business of Christians to "judge those outside the church." The issue in the case of unbelievers is not their morality but their relationship with Jesus. When Jesus enters their lives, their practices will change (cf. 1 Co 6:9-11). Col 2:16. Judging creates pressure that is designed to force conformity. Paul urged the believers in Colosse to resist this kind of thing. It denies not only Christian freedom but also Jesus' Lordship. "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." Jas 4:11-12. James sees a critical approach to others as slander. Talking against our brothers is wrong because it implies becoming a judge of the law rather than a doer. James's argument is that God gave us the law, not to use against others, but that we might be responsive to it. Only God, who as governor of the universe gave the law, has the right to judge human beings by it. In each of these passages, "judging" carries quasi-legal meanings. The choices or the motives of others are called into question, and a condemning verdict is passed in each. Each part of this process is ruled out by the above Scripture passages. Human beings are not competent to call another's motives or practices into question. Even when actions are clearly wrong, forgiveness, not condemnation, is the appropriate response. A judgmental attitude and punitive attempts are both wrong. We are to draw back, remembering that God alone is competent to judge, and to stop judging others.