Judge Not

Judge Not

“Judge Not Lest You Be Judged?” Interpretation Vs Application

Judge Not

This study pairs well with “Weapons Of Our Warfare #11: Boldness and Courage” & “Backsliders And The Rule Of Law.”,

Judge Not

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Judge Not

Judge Not

Focus Verse: Matthew 7:1-5 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.  (2)  For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.  (3)  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?  (4)  Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?  (5)  You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and thenyou can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Judge Not

Before we go any further, is Jesus telling us to never remove the plank out of others eyes? No, He did not say that. He said to get yourselves right, then you can see clearly to help others. As we see Paul expressing the same concept:

Judge Not

Romans 2:1-3 “Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.  (2)  We know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.  (3)  Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?”

Judge Not

So, as we can clearly “SEE”, there is nuance and perspective that needs to be understood to fully grasp at exactly what Jesus was saying. 

The first step to unravel this ball of yarn is to look at what the word “Judge” actually means. Most take it to mean to make a determination of wrong or right, good and evil, concerning another’s actions. Yet, we find it is not a determination of wrong and right, yet more like a condemning of an individual’s soul. We can look at a murderer and determine that is wrong, and let them know they are a murderer. But we are not God and cannot tell them that they can never receive salvation after the murder.

Judge Not

G2919 Κρίνω – krinō – kree’-no

Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: – avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to

Judge Not

Luke 6:37 “Don’t judge G2919, and you won’t be judged G2919. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.”

We are told to not make a judgment of men’s soul before the time of judgment.

1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.”

Let’s look at Jesus, our example, for interpretation and application of His own statements.

Judge Not

Jesus Told The Truth About People’s Spiritual Condition!

Judge Not

-Hypocrites-

Luke 12:56 “Hypocrites! You know to discern the face of the heaven and the earth, but how is it that you do not discern this time?”

I have found 17 times in Scripture references of Jesus calling people Hypocrites.

Hypocrite: Strong’s G5273 “From G5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler (“hypocrite”): – hypocrite.”

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-Snake / Vipers-

Matthew 23:31-33 “By saying this you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.  (32)  Fill up then the measure of your ancestors!  (33)  You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”

Judge Not

• John The Baptist Said The Same.

Luke 3:7-8 “So John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  (8)  Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!”

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-Whitewashed Tombs-

Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean.  (28)  In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

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-Fools-

Matthew 23:17 “Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?”

Luke 11:39-40  “And the Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and the platter clean, but your inward part is full of plunder and wickedness.  (40)  Fools! Did not He who made the outside also make the inside?”

Luke 24:25 “And He said to them, O fools and slow of heart to believe all things that the prophets spoke!”

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-Blind-

Matthew 23:24-26 “Blind guides! You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel!  (25)  “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  (26)  Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may become clean too!”

Matthew 23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple is bound by nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.’”

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-Dogs-

Matthew 15:26 “But He answered and said, It is not good to take the children’s bread and to throw it to dogs.”

Revelation 22:14-15 “Blessed are they who do His commandments, that their authority will be over the Tree of Life, and they may enter in by the gates into the city.  (15)  But outside are the dogs, and the sorcerer’s, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and makes a lie.”

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-Jesus Mocked Those Who Rejected Him-

Matthew 11:20-24 “The people in the towns where Jesus had performed most of his miracles did not turn from their sins, so he reproached those towns.  (21)  “How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you too, Bethsaida! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins!  (22)  I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to the people of Tyre and Sidon than to you!  (23)  And as for you, Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be in existence today!  (24)  You can be sure that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to you!”

Reproached: Strong’s G3679 “From G3681; to defame, that is, rail at, chide, taunt: – cast in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid”

For More: Read All Of Matthew 23

Judge Not

JESUS TELLS US TO JUDGE & DETERMINE

You might be like “but Brother Lance, this is Jesus we are talking about. He can do that, but we cannot.” This is not true, as Jesus actually told us to Judge as He did.

It is very interesting that right after Jesus tells us not to judge before we get ourselves right in Matthew 7:1-5, that He then tells us to determine which people are dogs and pigs, and not to waste our time with those people! And calling the people He was talking about hypocrites. So, don’t judge you hypocrites, and ignore the people who are spiritual dogs and pigs. All this goes back to right attitude and action.

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• Judge & Determine Those Who Are Worthy.

Matthew 7:5-6 “You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.  (6)  “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

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• Judge & Determine Those Who Should Receive Punishment.

Matthew 10:13-15 “If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.  (14)  Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.  (15)  Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.”

Luke 10:10-12  “And into whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, going out into the streets say,  (11)  Even the dust of your city which clings to us, we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.  (12)  But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.”

Judge Not

• Judge & Determine False Teachers & Leaders.

Notice that He says to look at what they are doing to Judge.

Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.  (16)  By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  (17)  Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.  (20)  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

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As We See Here, It Offends Jesus When We Tolerate Anti-Christ Teachers.

Revelation 2:20-23 “But this is what I have against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a messenger of God. By her teaching she misleads my servants into practicing sexual immorality and eating food that has been offered to idols.  (21)  I have given her time to repent of her sins, but she does not want to turn from her immorality.  (22)  And so I will throw her on a bed where she and those who committed adultery with her will suffer terribly. I will do this now unless they repent of the wicked things they did with her.  (23)  I will also kill her followers, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who knows everyone’s thoughts and wishes. I will repay each of you according to what you have done.”

Judge Not

• Judge & Determine Those Who Give Offense Against You.

Matthew 18:15-20 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.  (16)  But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  (17)  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.  (18)  Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.  (19)  Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.  (20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

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• Judge & Determine Those Within The Body Who Have Right Standing.

Matthew 5:29-30 “If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.”

Judge Not

IF We Are To Use Judgment As Jesus Did, How Do We Do That?

We Are Not To Condemn Men’s Souls As You Can See, Jesus Was Just Saying What God Had Said.

Judge Not

John 8:15-16 “You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.  (16)  Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.”

John 5:30 “I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.”

John 12:48-50 “He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.  (49)  For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.  (50)  I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”

John 7:21-24 “Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel because of it.  (22)  Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy.  (23)  If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me, because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?  (24)  Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

Judge Not

Let’s Look At Some Of The Other Writers In The Bible.

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JAMES

James 4:11-12 “Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.  (12)  Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?”

James 5:8-9 “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  (9)  Don’t grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won’t be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.”

Judge Not

• James Also Said:

James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

James 4:4 “Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

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PAUL

Romans 14:10-13 “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (11)  For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’”  (12)  So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.  (13)  Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling.”

Judge Not

• Paul Also Said:

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife. You are arrogant, and didn’t mourn instead, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you. For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump? Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place. Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person. For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within? But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”

Titus 1:10-14 “For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,  (11)  whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake.  (12)  One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.”  (13)  This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,  (14)  not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.”

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PETER

2 Peter 2:9-22 “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment;  (10)  but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;  (11)  whereas angels, though greater in might and power, don’t bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord.  (12)  But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed,  (13)  receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you;  (14)  having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;  (15)  forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing;  (16)  but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet.  (17)  These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.  (18)  For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;  (19)  promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.  (20)  For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  (21)  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.  (22)  But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.”

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JUDE

Jude 1:7-13  “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are shown as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.  (8)  Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.  (9)  But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”  (10)  But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason.  (11)  Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.  (12)  These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;  (13)  wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.”

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Our Duty As Followers Of God & Jesus

We are called to be a light on a hill showing the way of God, and salt of the earth that preserves men’s souls. As we read, if we fail to do this then we are responsible for their souls. God will ask us why we said nothing!  Yet, if we do speak in love and tell the truth, we will not be condemned even if these people refuse the love of God.

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Ezekiel 33:7-9 “So you, son of man: I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and give them warnings from me. When I tell the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you don’t speak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man will die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at your hand. Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he doesn’t turn from his way; he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.”

2 Chronicles 19:9-10 “He commanded them, saying, “You shall do this in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.”

2 Timothy 4:1-4 “I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.”

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You Must Try To Save Them

You cannot do this without watching conduct and character. You have to judge and determine based upon their fruits out of love for their very souls.

James 5:19-20 “Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Galatians 6:1-2 “Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

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The Bible Is Our Guide: Our Tool

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

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We Can & We Must Tell The Truth About Sin & Rebellion In Love For Their Souls.

If They Refuse, We Must Walk Away From Them.

 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 “But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right. If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.”

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Why? God Desires Unity & Purity Of Spirit

Philippians 2:1-4  “If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,  (2)  make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;  (3)  doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;  (4)  each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.”

2 Corinthians 11:1-2 “I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.  (2)  For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”

See Also: (1 Cor. 12:25-27) (1 Cor. 1:10) (Acts 2:46-47) (Acts 2:1) (Acts 1:14)

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We Will Judge Men & Angels In The End!

Judging and determining based upon perceivable conduct and action is very biblical. This will not end here on earth, as one day we will help Jesus determine people’s punishment in Hell.

1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.”       

Acts 17:30-31 “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,  (31)  because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 “Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?  (3)  Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?”

Matthew 19:28 “Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Luke 22:28-30 “But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.  (29)  I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,  (30)  that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

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Be Fruit Inspectors!

You have the obligation to help save people’s souls, and tell them the danger they are in based upon their conduct. You cannot determine the spiritual outcome for Salvation or Hell just yet. There is a difference between just telling someone they are lost and have no hope, and correctly categorizing their conduct and activity as sin or against God’s will for them. So, to say you are showing love and not judging them by ignoring their conduct is sin. Not only is it hateful and rebellion against God’s clear directive for Christians, you also place your own soul in jeopardy. Diminishing your light and losing your saltiness.   Lastly, remember that when we do this it must be out of love and concern. Your heart must be filled with compassion for these people. Just like trying to save a dear friend from drowning. You would not mock them, insult them, and belittle them as they drowned. No, you would with a pure heart fight to save their lives, and in our case, save their souls. Now be led by the Holy Spirit, using God’s Word as Jesus did, and get to saving people!

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Judge Not

Judge Not